Five Minute Bird Count Steps
Nau mai, Haere mai!
1) Know which birds to look for
Before you head out to count birds, make sure you can identify the native birds that are common in
Whakaraupō. For some more practice, check out our guide on Whakaraupō's birds here. Or use our printable
sheets to help identify the birds.
2) Choose a spot
Five minute bird counts can be done anywhere, as long as you stay in the same spot for the whole five
minutes. Bird counts that are close together can help give a clearer idea of the birds in that area, although
try to make them at least 200 meters apart from one another. Far apart bird counts can help Whaka-ora
get a better idea of the birds across the harbour. You can even do a bird count in the same exact spot on
different days. For more inspiration on where to look, click here for our guide on past data.
3) Pick a day
Try to count birds on a day that is sunny and calm. It will be more fun for you, and it will be easier to
count birds. It is also easiest to count birds when it is light out. The best time of year to spot birds is
November and December which is during breeding season.
4) Start a timer for five minutes
Make sure that you have something like a phone or a watch with you before you head out to do your
bird counts! Once you start the timer, you can start counting birds. You can keep counting birds after five
minutes, but make sure to record those birds separately.
5) Be quiet!
Make sure not to scare off any birds that might come your way by standing still and being quiet!
6) Record birds
Mark down the number of birds of each species that you see using our downloadable chart. Try not to
count any birds more than once. If you are not sure which bird you saw, mark it down as unknown. Write
down your level of certainty that you saw each bird, and any other observations you might have!
7) Send us your chart!
Thank you so much for helping us count birds! Send us your bird counts with this google form.
8) Repeat!
Keep bird counting folks!!