There’s nothing quite like hearing the dawn chorus in the middle of spring.
While I was standing on my deck taking it all in, it occurred to me that one of my favourite birds, the kereru, doesn’t have the gift of song. The only way I know they are around is when I hear the whooshing sound of their wings, or when I suddenly notice them crashing around in the trees.
For quite some time now, kereru have been visiting a couple of times a day. There’s an abundance of food in the surrounding trees, but it’s the sizeable red dish of water that entices them to spend time on our deck. Recently, a pair of kereru has been arriving together. They’re delightful to watch. They seem so respectful in how they take turns at drinking the water. This is in sharp contrast to the tui birds, who feel the need to negotiate everything; with a great deal of noise and posturing.
Although flocks of hundreds of kereru used to be common in New Zealand skies, their numbers have been declining at an alarming rate for many years. In some areas, their numbers have decreased by over 50% in the last 50 years. The reasons for their declining numbers are the destruction of their native bush habitat, as well as the introduction of predators. A kereru pair only nest one egg at a time and that egg has a long incubation period of 28 days. During this time, and for the 35 - 40 days that the chick remains in the nest, they are in danger from possums, rats, stoats and cats. Some studies have found that fewer than 15% of chicks survive long enough to become independent.
The news is not all bad. Recent surveys have indicated the kereru is increasing in numbers in some urban centres, particularly those with well-established gardens and effective pest control.
As you can imagine, I’m rather excited at the thought of the kereru nesting close by. (HEIDI PADAIN)
To see some of Heidi’s other photographic work, go to www.flickr.com and type Heidi Padain into the search box, or, you can contact Heidi by email hidihi@xtra.co.nz, or look her up on Facebook – Heidi Padain Photography.