Bellbird and kererū observation calendars
Bellbird calendar observation project (2002)
The aim of this project is to better understand bellbird distribution in Christchurch city and surrounding areas during the winter. We also hope to improve our knowledge of the timing of movement between the Port Hills, where bellbirds tend to be during the breeding season, and the city and plains areas, where many forage during the winter.
Approximately 80 members of the public in Christchurch city and surrounding areas recorded bellbird sightings in their own gardens using specially-designed calendars. This was done between February and October 2002, covering the winter months and the transition periods of late summer and late winter.
Results from 2002 bellbird calendars
Observations have been aggregated into winter (April – August) and breeding season (September – May) periods, and plotted in the following maps.
Winter (April – August)
Breeding season (September – May)
The maps show that bellbirds are more widely distributed across the city
in the winter, as compared to the breeding season. However, some keen
observers also noted that they had seen less bellbirds in the city during
winter 2002 than they had seen in previous winters, so the winter distribution
shown above may not be as extensive as in some other years.
There is further analysis still to be done using the calendar data, particularly with regard to the plants used by bellbirds in the city.
Current observation calendar for kererū and bellbird
We did not put out a bellbird observation calendar
this winter. However, there is a special tick-box for bellbird observations
included in the kererū (native wood pigeon) calendar that has
been released by Kaupapa Kererū (lead by Ngāi Tahu, with
involvement from the Department of Conservation, Landcare Research
and Lincoln University). This calendar
is now available at a cost of $7.00. This full-colour calendar features
artwork from the schools of Banks Peninsula, and covers the period
from January 2004 to December 2004. Please
contact
Takerei
Norton, Takerei.Norton@ngaitahu.iwi.nz,
to obtain a copy of the calendar.