Celebrate National Bird Week next week by participating in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count between Monday 23 and Sunday 29 October. The annual Bird Count is run by Birdlife Australia to provide a snapshot of Australian birds at the same time each year in the places where people live. This shows trends in our bird communities and gives an indication of the health of the environment. Last year over 61,000 people joined in the count, with 1,400,000 birds counted and 576 different species identified.

It’s a great time to get out and learn about the birds in your area as Spring is the season when birds are more lively and visible. They begin nesting, breeding and flocking and generally appear more playful. Thousands of migrant birds return to our shores in spring as well.

Participating is easy. Choose a site and record the birds you see over a 20 minute period. You then submit your count via a simple online form or by using the Aussie Bird Count app. There is a Field Guide/Bird Finder built into the app and on the website to help you identify birds or you can use your own. Click here for more information and to register.