Bird Count on the Coast starts during National Bird Week

Bird Life Australia is inviting locals to celebrate National Bird Week by taking part in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, a project that records local bird sightings.

Coasties are being encouraged to join thousands of enthusiasts from across the country who will be heading out into their backyards, local parks or favourite outdoor spaces to take part anytime between Monday Oct 18 and Sunday Oct 25.

According to Bird Life Australia, to get involved all you need is 20 minutes, your favourite outdoor space (this doesn’t have to be your actual backyard), and some keen eyesight.

Locals who have been involved in previous years of this annual bird count point out that it doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or a ornithologist. Simply record the birds you know and look up those you don’t on our ‘Aussie Bird Count’ app or our website. Both are available for free and cost nothing to register.

You can count as many times as you like over the week, the project coordinators just ask that each count is completed over a 20-minute period. The data collected assists BirdLife Australia in understanding more about the birds that live where people live and can contribute toward conservation and scientific research.

As a participant you’ll instantly see live local statistics and information on how many people are taking part near you and the number of birds and species counted in your neighbourhood and the whole of Australia!

Local birdwatcher and photographer Rick Gatenby caught the bird watching and photography fascination while out walking around the Central Coast.

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“I originally started taking landscape pics while out walking my dog in all the beautiful places we have so close to us Birding just became a progression from that as it becomes very addictive.” said Gatenby

He added “It doesn’t matter how many photos you have of one species you always hope for better next time”.

To get involved visit the Aussie Backyard Bird Count website here.

_{Verified information source: Online resources Bird Life Australia, October 18, 2021}