Will a pelican be one of the birds in your Aussie Bird Count? Photo: James Mascott.
What birdlife can you spot in your backyard or favourite outdoor spot?
The Aussie Bird Count is back this month (October) and BirdLife Australia is calling on people of all ages to spend 20 minutes to spot, identify and count the birds around them.
BirdLife is a national bird conservation charity which has run the Aussie Bird Count for the past 12 years.
National public affairs manager Sean Dooley said the event was an important step towards connection between people, place and purpose.
“It’s not about being a bird expert; it’s about spending time outdoors and learning something new about your local environment,” he said.
“The Aussie Bird Count shows how citizen science can bring families and communities together while contributing to our understanding of Australia’s unique wildlife.
“A simple 20-minute activity can become an annual family tradition that teaches everyone about observation and nature.”
Last year, more than 57,000 participants submitted nearly 130,000 checklists and logged more than 4.1 million birds across the country using the free Aussie Bird Count app.
Registration is now open for the count, which is held between Monday 20 and Sunday 26 October. During that time, Aussies are invited to spend 20 minutes in their favourite outdoor space to observe and count the birds they see (or hear).
The count is downloaded onto the Aussie Bird Count app, which can also help identify the birds.
People can do as many counts as they like during the week, as long as each count is 20 minutes and submitted separately.
The results provide BirdLife Australia with insights into trends in urban bird populations, contributing to a dataset that helps to guide future awareness campaigns, conservation priorities and community education.
BirdLife Australia CEO Kate Millar said birds were indicators of environmental health.
“One in six Australian bird species is now under threat, so taking note of the birds around us has never been more important,” she said.
“Whether you’re a regular birder or someone who just enjoys the occasional kookaburra laugh or lorikeet fly-by, we’re inviting everyone across the country to pause, step outside, and count the birds that share their skies, gardens, and daily walks.”
