Aussie Bird Count celebrates decade of conservation

THE nation’s largest conservation event, the Aussie Bird Count, celebrates its 10th year this week, engaging communities from the Bellarine, the Surf Coast, Geelong and right around the country in a large-scale citizen science event.

The annual Aussie Bird Count occurs at the same time each year. Over the last decade, yearly data from the Aussie Bird Count has given BirdLife Australia crucial information about the condition of native birds across the country.

During the Aussie Bird Count, participants of all ages and backgrounds are asked to go outdoors for 20 minutes and count bird sightings.

Aiming for a collective count of over five million birds, participants can log observations via the BirdLife app, which boasts a “bird finder” tool, or through a dedicated web form.

The Geelong Nature Festival is a partnership between The City of Greater Geelong and the Geelong Field Naturalists.

As part of the festival, the Geelong Field Naturalists commenced the Aussie Bird Count Week with a Cowies Creek walk, blending it as both a BirdLife Australia and festival event.

Geelong Field Naturalist member Rod Lowther, noted that residents in the region might encounter species like yellow-billed spoonbills, white-browed scrub wrens, or even black cockatoos.

“One of the most captivating sightings in semi-urban areas might be a superb fairy-wren,” Mr Lowther said.

“However, my personal hope is to catch a glimpse of a spotted pardalote.”

Mr Lowther said the count offers individuals a unique opportunity to connect with nature while championing conservation.

An alarming one-sixth of Australian birds are on the cusp of extinction, confronting rising threats such as climate change, fires, habitat loss, and invasions from non-native species, leading to enhanced conservation efforts across the country.

BirdLife Australia’s new Bird Conservation Strategy sets ambitious targets: halting bird extinctions by 2032, enhancing the status of 30 per cent of threatened species by the same year, and stemming overall bird declines by 2050.

BirdLife National public affairs manager for Sean Dooley emphasised the importance of this year’s count.

“Participation in this year’s count will enable bird experts to understand more about state-based trends, identify if these trends are continuing for declining species, and help us determine the reasons for the declines,” Mr Dooley said.

“We’d love to see Aussies of all ages from each and every state and territory get involved. The more people we have counting throughout the week, the more data we have to learn more about how parrots are faring and to help protect them for future generations.”

The Geelong Nature Festival runs until October 29.

The Aussie Bird Count runs until Sunday, October 22.

For those keen to participate, register at aussiebirdcount.org.au