Wellington fast becoming tui capital

Tui numbers are soaring in Wellington, according to the capital’s annual bird count.

In the 1990s, there was only a small remnant population of the native bird in Wellington, now the typical person would see one on the way to work.

But, unlike the summer of 2009 when Zealandia fielded calls from residents concerned about tui noise, this year Wellingtonians aren’t complaining.

Conservation manager Dr Danielle Shanahan said the city was ‘‘re-learning how to live with nature’’.

In Wellington reserves, you are twice as likely to see a tui compared to 2011. The bird count also noted several threatened bird species moving into the city.

She said the capital’s bird community had seen ‘‘amazing changes’’ over the past decade.

‘‘I hope that we will be able to see even more species in Wellington suburbs, such as tı¯tipounamu [rifleman] and even more whitehead.

‘‘All of these species will contribute to a fabulous dawn chorus and a richer song in our city forests during the day.’’

Many new birds in or around the city such as ka¯ ka¯ and tı¯eke were because of the establishment of Zealandia and were ‘‘spreading beyond the fence’’.

‘‘These birds were translocated into the sanctuary, they established a stronghold, and are now dispersing out.’’

Wellington City councillor Peter Gilberd, who holds the natural environment portfolio, said fewer predators meant safer habitats for native birds.