The Aussie Backyard Bird count is being held during Birdweek, 19-25 October. Putting your observational skills to use for the Aussie Backyard Bird count is a way to help understand the changing nature of nature and contribute to a very impressive national database of bird distribution and abundance. The information helps to understand the trends in bird communities, which birds are doing well and which are not.
Last year in the 2283 postcode 24 species were sighted, with four checklists submitted and 108 birds sighted. In this state Rainbow Lorikeets, Noisy Miners and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos topped the count.
Nationally the top 10 birds were Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, Australian Magpie, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Galah, House Sparrow, Common Myna, Silver Gull, Red Wattlebird and Welcome Sparrow.
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| Sooty Oystercatcher at Coal Point-Image Rod Mackay |
If you get out and about for the recommended 20 minutes of surveying you might see a Sooty Oystercatcher foraging on the tip of Coal Point, you’d have to be very lucky though, one of our local enthusiasts has only ever seen one. You might even get a glimpse of the Powerful Owl pair and their progeny…yes they’ve had babies.
More likely you’ll see the more common species and they’ll be easy to identify because there’s a built in field guide in the Aussie Backyard Bird app and on the birdsinbackyards website.
If you’d like to see how the professionals do it Tom Clarke & co will conduct the local Spring Bird Survey on Monday 12th October. There are four spots available for community folk to participate in the bird surveys along the peninsula. Contact Suzanne for meeting details.
Everyone can indirectly support the bird survey team by keeping dogs on leashes on that Monday morning (12/10/15), or perhaps trying out the leash free areas at Hampton St Reserve (Pony Club) or Gurranba Reserve.
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