In a flap over birds

BY KRISTINA RAPLEY

Residents living close to a Pakuranga reserve are urging the council to do something about the bird problem they say has been plaguing their street for years.

The issue at Tiraumea Reserve was first raised eight years ago with the Pakuranga Community Board and was brought up again at the board’s meeting this week, attended by five residents living near the reserve.

They blame excessive feeding of the birds for an infestation of rats, blowflies, odour and bird droppings.

They say it has become unbearable and is a health issue.

The community board moved to urgently take action to deal with vermin infestation and dumping of bread in and around the reserve.

Pakuranga councillor David Collings says he will try to arrange a small meeting of all concerned in an attempt to come to a compromise.

"If we all meet face to face it will be a lot easier," he says.

"Hopefully we can get something sorted out.

"No matter what the council does, it’s not going to stop. At the moment there are two sides and some animosity, so I think it’s really about finding a happy medium."

One side wants to continue to feed the birds and the other wants them gone.

"I think they have a reasonable right to complain and I agree it’s not good enough," Mr Collings says of the ongoing problem.

New Zealand Bird Rescue Charitable Trust trustee Pam Howlett, who has run the Tamaki Bird Rescue Centre for almost 40 years, says there is not a bird problem at Tiraumea Reserve but a people problem.

She says the birds that live there are mainly royal spoonbills, ducks – mallard and paradise, doves, herons and shags, and there is only a handful of people who are bothered by them.

The argument from the concerned residents who call it a "hazardous situation" is an over-reaction, she says.Mrs Howlett has recently had an influx of poisoned birds, mainly doves.

"There have been more than 200 birds killed in that area, mostly from human interference, and over-the-counter poison," she says.

"It’s outrageous what is happening there.

"I have seen the food that is being put out for the birds. It is of the highest quality and will do no harm to the birds.

"It’s a beautiful area and a wonderful place for people to go and see the birds."

Manukau City Council park manager Birandra Singh says they have known of the problem for years.

"There are large numbers of birds there when they are being fed, and it is a problem," he says.

"I’ve been out there periodically every year and
put out rat bait in the burrows.

"If the feeding was to stop it would be a good thing.

"We are going through the options and will be submitting it to the Pakuranga Community Board with a series of options that they can consider."

- © Fairfax NZ News