The titipounamu, New Zealand’s smallest bird, had been missing from the nation’s capital for more than 100 years. But now it’s back. And it’s got company. A lot of company. The number of native birds counted across the capital since 2011 has risen by 50%, according to a recent Wellington council report, and for some species those figures are much higher: kākā has increased by 250%, kererū by 186% and tūī by 121%. The main reason for this birdlife boom is the creation of the urban eco-sanctuary Zealandia, which opened in 1999. Many visitors compare Zealandia to Jurassic Park, says Gini Letham, its lead ranger in an intervjiew with The Guardian. The 225 hectares of regenerating bush just 10 minutes from the city centre surrounds a lake, winding creeks and a wetland, and is home to a cacophony of birdsong from 40 different species. New research published in the Journal of Animal Ecology found that restoring native forest in cities does indeed bring back native birds – even those absent for generations – and the older the forest, the more species it can support. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Uo0EwPyjw Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/20/urban-forests-create-birdlife-boom-in-new-zealands-cities? Zealandia homepage: https://www.visitzealandia.com