June/July National Garden Bird Survey

Every year around the end of June/start of July, Landcare Research has a Garden Bird survey.  This is where, for an hour you go and observe your garden and what birds appear in the time period.  Then you visit their website and record your findings.  Its Nation-wide and for us it's a little bit of science and fun mixed together:



http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/birds/garden-bird-surveys


Today was the last day to complete the survey for 2013 and so I got us ready.  I cut up thick slices of apple and halved some mandarins.  Then we set about making giant fruit kebabs on bamboo stakes.  These were for the Tuis and the Silvereyes or Waxeyes that often visit our garden. Then we took pieces of white bread, spread it with some smooth peanut butter and sprinkled wild bird seed mix on top.  These were fairy bread for the other birds that like to hang out in our garden, like the Black birds and House Sparrows.  The Silvereyes also happen to like seeds and peanut butter, though I wasn't aware of that when we placed the fairy bread out on the picnic table. 


Although it was a beautiful day outside, it was chilly so we went inside the house to allow the birds the freedom to explore their new bird café. It took about 40 minutes for all of our garden birds to re-settle and stop being so skittish.  We watched and we counted the birds as they arrived.  At any one time I could only count up to 8 House Sparrows.  Once the Sparrows relaxed and started to enjoy the seed, then we noticed Silvereyes starting to glide in as well.  Five Silvereyes fed on the seeds alongside the Sparrows and no one went near the fruit. 

Towards the end of the survey time, our two Black birds joined the garden party (Mr & Mrs) and our lone Fantail who loves to flit around our garden looking for bugs.  It's much later in the day now, and I find myself checking in on our garden party every now and then.  I have Silvereyes hanging off the bamboo stakes now, drinking from the mandarin halves and eating chunks of apple.  I have Black birds and a Song Thrush enjoying the fairy bird along with an army of Sparrows. 

I love this time of year, because for the next wee while I will be hyper-aware of my surroundings.  I will note every bird I see, especially the unusual.  It makes me feel one with nature during the duller months of the year, which can't be a bad thing!


Lastly, check out cheeky Audra! So excited to be a part of the Moore girls' Bird Café adventure!