The 2019 survey took place on Saturday February 16, 2019. The day started off with a few showers however the rain stopped before we set out to the Lake. The wind was a little cold as you will see by the hats and parkas.

Over 50 volunteers and staff from a number of agencies undertook the annual census of wetland birds around Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere.The bird count is jointly planned and organised by Waihora Ellesmere Trust, the Department of Conservation, Birds NZ and Christchurch City Council Rangers, with help from Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council and Keystone Ecology.

The annual surveys help to build up a picture of bird species and numbers at this amazing wetland which is internationally recognised for its birdlife. The CCC Rangers count birds along Kaitorete and around Kaituna lagoon. The remaining areas of lake shore, from the Halswell River around to Taumutu, are covered by teams of volunteers and staff from DOC and ECan.  Expertise from Birds NZ members and others is vital to the success of the day.

This year over 44,000 birds were recorded around the lake – to see results of the 2019 survey, visit our 2019 bird survey page.