Bird AI and 10,000 pests!

On December 3rd, we hosted a fascinating community evening with Len Trigg, exploring how bird-song AI tools like Merlin Bird ID and BirdNET can help identify birds by sound. The discussion sparked great questions about how technology can complement on-the-ground conservation and bird counts, especially for monitoring elusive or nocturnal species.

We also celebrated logging our 10,000th pest removed on Trap.nz. A huge collective achievement that reflects several years of steady volunteer effort across Tamahere. Naturally, this milestone deserved cake — and Robyn Richardson delivered once again, producing another memorable creation to mark the occasion. Sharing food, stories and progress with the community felt like the perfect way to celebrate International Volunteer Day (December 5th) and mark the end of another successful year.

Credit W McGrory: Robyn and her latest cake creation

Reaching 10,000 pests removed isn’t about the number alone — it represents safer nesting seasons, recovering habitat, and a community that’s actively engaged in protecting its local environment. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and excited about what’s next.