‘I thought I was imagining things’: New Zealand readers on close encounters with city birds

The grey warbler, or riroriro, at urban ecosanctuary Zealandia. New Zealand city dwellers have reported seeing increased birdlife as urban forests have been restored. Photograph: Melissa Boardman

Urban forests are attracting native birds back to New Zealand’s cities, helping residents foster a deeper connection with their feathery friends, and develop a greater interest in their protection.

New research published in the Journal of Animal Ecology found that restoring native forest in cities does indeed bring back native birds, while a Wellington council report in April 2021 found that Zealandia – a 225 hectare urban eco-sanctuary 10 minutes from the city centre – was “having a measurable ‘halo’ effect on native forest bird communities throughout the city”.