The Great Aussie Bird Count 2021
Just in case you haven’t heard, the Great Aussie Bird Count is back on this week and we’re getting just a little bit excited.
It starts on the 18th and runs through to the 24th. We took part last year and it was so much fun! We don’t know about you, but lockdown has just spurned us on in our bird watching obsessions and Spring has sprung with its flurry of melodious birdsong and spectacular plumages.
If you’re like us and find it difficult to tell the difference between your garden variety catbird and your female bower, then the bird count is a sort of forced ‘gainer of knowledge’ exercise. As soon as you don that citizen scientist hat – binoculars? Things get serious! You feel as if you’re part of a team (Australia wide), working together to help conserve our natural beauties.
It’s super easy to take part, just download the free BirdLife Australia app here.
The #AussieBirdCount is a great way to connect with the birds in your backyard no matter where your backyard happens to be – a suburban backyard, a local park, a patch of forest, the bush, down by the beach, or the main street of town.
You can count as many times as you like over the week. The data collected assists BirdLife Australia in understanding more about the birds that live where people live.
BirdLife Australia is the nation’s largest bird conservation organisation. As an independent charity, their purpose is to stop extinctions. The Aussie Backyard Bird Count started in 2014, and the charity also hosts a range of other conservation programs and initiatives throughout the year.
BirdLife Australia has been Australia’s voice for birds since 1901 and with their specialised knowledge and the commitment of their extensive network of members, volunteers (that’s us!) and supporters they are creating a bright future for Australia’s native birds.
To complete the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, spend 20 minutes standing or sitting in one spot and noting down the birds that you see. You will need to count the number of each species you spot. For example, you might see four Australian Magpies, two Rainbow Lorikeets and a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo. If you can identify birds by their calls, you can include these in your count, but if you aren’t sure of a bird without seeing it, then it’s best to exclude it rather than make a guess. The app also has a handy field-guide to help you identify birds. And remember, every count helps!
The Great Aussie Bird Count 2021
18 October – 24 October
Visit the website for more details. Happy birdwatching!