Tui, Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae, are perhaps one of the most visible and easily identified of New Zealand's native forest species. This bird was 'snapped' taking nectar from flax flowers, during a visit to Tiritiri Matangi Island, in the Hauraki Gulf.

This photo was taken by Brent Stephenson (www.eco-vista.com), and is copyrighted 2007.

Spring is in the air!
Birds are busy nesting – and we need your help spotting nests and recording their contents! We are after records of all species, native or introduced, rare or common!

The Nest Record Scheme has been run by the OSNZ since 1950 to collect information on the breeding biology of birds in New Zealand for study and research. Nest observations have been used in many books and papers in the past – but more cards are needed to fill gaps in our knowledge!

You can obtain printed cards from the Nest Record Organiser (Roger Sharp) or your Regional Representative. Alternatively, you can download a printable card. Please refer to the Nest Record Scheme section for more details and instructions on how to fill in cards.

Happy nest recording!
Ingrid Hutzler (Executive Officer)

Photos by Ingrid Hutzler

Update on overdue Notornis issues

Two issues of Notornis (December 07, March 08) are at the printers and will be sent out before Christmas (along with another issue of Southern Bird). A further two issues (June 08, September 08) will be ready for printing when the printer opens after the Christmas break in mid-January and posted in late January/early February 2009. The remaining two issues (December 08 and March 03) will follow in March/April 09, which will then bring publishing up to date. Sorry for the time it has taken to get the journal moving again, but I now feel I am on top of the work and looking forward to having all issues caught up by early in the new year.

Jim Briskie (Editor Notornis)

Resignation of President:

Statement from Richard Holdaway:
"At the conclusion of the OSNZ Council meeting held in Christchurch on 18 October, and with considerable regret, I tendered my resignation as President of OSNZ. Council accepted my resignation and requested that I continue as an ex officio member of Council until the next AGM. My decision to resign was based on the level of commitments in my professional life that are much greater now than when I accepted the position of President in 2006. I am now responsible for three major research programmes. The probability of frequent overseas absences with respect to those programmes, and the arrival of the first grandchild earlier this year and the wish to enjoy more family life than has been possible recently, means I will not be able to contribute to OSNZ at the level I see as necessary from the President. I would have preferred to have completed the term; circumstances have ruled otherwise. David Lawrie, as Vice President, has become Acting President until the AGM. I am sure that he and Council will continue to move OSNZ forward. Thank you all for your assistance over the past couple of years."
Richard Holdaway

Statement from the Acting President:
"The Council in accepting Richard's resignation noted the circumstances and acknowledged the strain that the Society's functions had placed on him and his family. The Council also noted Richard's desire to concentrate on fulfilling his responsibilities as Editor of Notornis, in ensuring that the changeover to Jim Biskie is completed as soon as possible, and that the outstanding issues be posted within the next 3 months. The Council also accepted Richard's suggestion that once the Editorship handover is completed he take responsibility for developing the new "Projects and Activities Committee " to assist Council in achieving the outstanding goals of the strategic plan adopted 3 years ago. If any member would like to be involved in organising these activities, which were considered a high priority in the recent member survey, please contact Ingrid directly or through your Regional Representative."
David Lawrie, Acting President

Ever wondered what to do with your bird observations? Do you want to know how many species of bird you have seen in New Zealand but are too lazy or shy to make a list? The OSNZ’s “Atlas of Bird Distribution in New Zealand 1999-2004” was a great achievement but we mustn't stop now. What is happening to birds in New Zealand today? Is the intensification in agriculture and the "dairy boom" affecting even NZ's common birds? Did you know red-billed gulls are declining all over New Zealand - is this serious or a minor readjustment?

Through collaboration with Cornell University and the Audubon Society of America, the Ornithological Society of New Zealand is proud to present this state of the art system for the recording of all your bird observations.

This program allows anyone who wishes to (not just OSNZ members), to enter bird observations from New Zealand (and incidentally anywhere else in the western hemisphere). This data is then compiled into your very own monthly, yearly, regional and life lists for the user AND it contributes data that can be used by scientists to assess the status of New Zealand's birds. It enables all who visit the site to view maps of bird distribution in New Zealand and updates users on rare bird sightings and lists for over 100 "hotspots" around the country. We hope that as many users as possible will take advantage of this program to add an extra dimension to their bird-watching and help science and conservation. If you visit a spot regularly, are working in the back blocks or even if you just record birds on the way to work or in your backyard you should add these observations to eBird. There are so many things we don't know about New Zealand’s birds that eBird may help us resolve.

We hope eBird will help us answer many questions that Scientists and bird-watchers in New Zealand have asked:

For example

• · When do the first cuckoos arrive each year - do they first arrive in the north and filter down the country or do they get to most places simultaneously?
• · Are cuckoos declining?
• · Where do the introduced finches go in the winter?
• · Which introduced birds migrate in NZ?
• · Which native bush birds migrate in NZ?

All these questions require lots of observers making regular records. Even if you don't do regular counts already why don't you start? You can do it whilst walking the dog, driving to work, driving to the beach house, going for a relaxing bush walk - when ever. You can make a difference - take a look at www.ebird.com/nz

International Ornithological Congress 2010
To be held in Brazil - check out their website for more details.

The OSNZ Scientific Committee and Council have prepared a document covering the potential effects of wind turbines on birds, for the benefit of those undertaking an Assessment of Environmental Effects for wind farms in New Zealand, and for those reviewing any such assessment. Please click here to see the document in full.