The New Zealand Garden Bird Census 2025: A Count of Backyard Feathered Creatures in Aotearoa
From June 27 to July 6, 2025, the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey will Take Place Nationwide
The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey, an annual citizen science event, is scheduled from June 28 to July 6, inviting participants to actively contribute to the understanding and conservation of New Zealand's birds.
Birds are essential indicators of the country's environmental health, and the survey offers a unique opportunity for citizens to participate in a nationwide effort to learn more about Aotearoa's garden birds.
Recording Bird Species
Participants can record the various bird species visiting their gardens, using online resources for bird identification and data collection. The survey offers flexibility in its methods, allowing participants to adapt their approaches based on their desired learning outcomes.
How to Get Involved
- Visit the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey website to get started.
- Choose a location, such as a garden, park, marae, or school, and select one day between June 28 and July 6.
- Spend one hour on the chosen day looking and listening for birds.
- Record the highest number of a bird species observed at one time.
- Submit the results online through the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey website.
Discovering More
The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey website provides a wealth of information for bird identification, classroom resources, and more, including resources in te reo Māori. The site offers helpful guides and quizzes, as well as tips for creating a bird-friendly garden.
Related Content
For schools and educational institutions, resources created specifically for kura have been curated to inspire and enhance learning for tamariki. These resources are available in both English and te reo Māori.
The PLD planning article provides ideas and strategies for making the most of the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey, offering a valuable context for learning.
The Hub also offers numerous resources on native birds, with the "Conserving native birds - introduction" providing a solid starting point.
Citizen Science and Its Importance
The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey is just one of many citizen science projects focusing on bird data collection. These projects contribute significantly to conservation efforts and scientific research while encouraging community engagement and education.
Another project involves identifying and reporting bird calls to support scientific research and conservation efforts. Employing smartphones and apps, such as iNaturalist NZ–Mātaki Taiao, allows global scaling of citizen science, supporting research and conservation by documenting species distribution and changes over time.
Besides these projects, there are other opportunities for citizen science engagement, such as participating in eBird or the Kea Database (for those in mountainous South Island regions or planning school trips there).
Collectively, these projects not only facilitate scientific research and conservation but also foster active participation within the community and promote awareness of New Zealand's natural environment.
- To further expand their knowledge, individuals interested in the home-and-garden lifestyle can visit the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey website to access numerous resources for bird identification during the survey period.
- Educators and learners can explore the education-and-self-development section of the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey website to find resources tailored for schools, offering opportunities for both English and te reo Māori speaking students to learn about New Zealand's garden birds.
