Moreporks are classed as ‘widespread and moderately common’ throughout New Zealand – we now have proof that this appears true for Hamilton!
Results of Hamilton’s first ever morepork survey, conducted 24 to 28 October 2011 under the umbrella of the Ornithological Society of NZ, will be published in bird-focused science journal Notornis http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/.
The survey detected moreporks in many sites around the city, mainly in gullies, parks and similar green spaces.
The survey found that, at 11 of the 16 recording sites, at least two or three birds were present - this implies breeding within the city may already be occurring (especially when two or more birds were counted at a site) and makes future investigation of the success of breeding birds very interesting.
The survey is hoped to be replicated within Hamilton in by the end of 2013 and other regions have expressed an interest in holding surveys - this will be great for future comparisons.
Keep an eye out for a Waikato Times article hopefully appearing Tuesday 6 December 2011 covering the survey.
