You don’t need to be a birdwatcher to take part in the Aussie Bird Count. You don’t need binoculars, either. All you need is 20 minutes and the app or website.
Held from 19 to 25 October as part of National Bird Week, the Aussie Bird Count is Australia’s biggest annual citizen science event. It encourages people to spend 20 minutes looking at the birds around them and recording what they see.
Dr Scott Fox, Vice President of Birds Queensland, said taking part could also provide a welcome break from the “hustle and bustle of your daily schedule to simply watch and listen to nature”.
“There is a mounting volume of research showing that watching birds improves mental health and well-being,” Dr Fox said.
The count can be carried out in a range of locations, from backyards and school grounds to local parks and walking routes. For those looking to take part somewhere with a variety of birdlife, Boondall Wetlands is one option.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the wetlands offered a great opportunity to get outdoors and experience Brisbane’s wildlife.
“Boondall Wetlands is one of Brisbane’s best places to get outdoors and experience the incredible nature and wildlife on our doorstep,” Cr Schrinner said.
Discover Local Birds and Connect with Nature
“The Aussie Bird Count is a great excuse to get out and explore, whether you’re a serious birdwatcher or just looking for something different to do with the family.”
Jenny Carey, President of Keep Sandgate Beautiful Association Inc (KSBA), said the count was a great way for locals to connect with nature.
“Spend twenty minutes at a freshwater lagoon, under the Peace Park gums, on the foreshore or even in your own backyard, and surprise yourself with the variety of birds we have in the 4017,” Jenny said. “The migratory shorebirds are back on the Boondall Wetlands tidal flats if you’re up for a challenge!”
You don’t have to know what you’re looking at before you start. If you see a bird you don’t recognise, the Aussie Bird Count app and website are designed to help you identify it.
Organisers say the count is a fun, easy way to take a national snapshot of the birds around us and help provide useful data about bird populations.
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