Aussie Backyard Bird Count starts soon

Rainbow lorikeets will feature prominently in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count starting 23 October – Photo: Chris Walker

Nature lovers around the country are being recruited for the the 2017 Aussie Backyard Bird Count which runs from Monday 23 October through to Sunday 29 October.

Noisy miner – Photo: Chris Walker

Last year 61,000 nature loving people across Australia participated in the bird count, submitting observation reports totaling more than 1.4 million birds.

In Queensland, Rainbow lorikeets, Noisy miners and Australian magpies were the most counted birds.

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is an annual event organised by Birdlife Australia.

BirdLife Australia’s Sean Dooley says Backyard Bird Count results provide a picture of how our birds are faring, both locally and across Australia.

“We are fortunate to have a wonderful array of birds in Australia, many that can’t be found anywhere else in the world,” Mr Dooley said.

“The information we collect from the Backyard Bird Count each year not only shows how much Australians care about birds, but also provides clues to what’s happening with different bird species.”

Birds of the Redlands

Eastern curlew – Photo: Chris Walker

Redlands is a great place for birdwatching with more than 300 different species including spectacular raptors and a range of shorebirds.

Migratory shorebirds such as Eastern curlews, Whimbrels and Bar-tailed godwits are returning from their Arctic breeding places.

They can be seen, often in great numbers, at locations such as:

• Thorneside (at Beth Boyd Park)
• Wellington Point (on the walk out to King Island and Geoff Skinner Wetlands)
• Toondah Harbour in Cleveland (also try G.J. Walter Park and Oyster Point)
•  Point Halloran, Victoria Point

There’s usually some pelicans at the Wellington Point Jetty.

Photographs of many birds found in Redlands can be seen on Erica Siegal’s website.

Getting involved in the Backyard Bird Count

Birds can be counted in your backyard, at your local park, the beach or anywhere else in your area that you choose to spend 20 minutes.

You don’t have to be an expert at identifying birds but it may help to have a pair of binoculars.

You can do as many observation periods as you want, or just a couple on the weekend if that’s all you have time for.

If you register as a participant, you’ll instantly see live statistics and information on how many people are taking part near you and the number of birds and species counted across your neighbourhood and the whole of Australia!

If you want to get involved you should register before the count starts, on Monday 23 October.

Observations can be recorded and submitted via the Aussie Backyard Bird Count website.

Or you can download and use the Aussie Bird Count app

If you want to know more, here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.

Redlands2030 – 9 October 2017