SMART THINKING
Play your part in protecting Australia’s unique and precious bird life by tallying feathered friends.
The Aussie Backyard Bird Count returns.
In 1896, a flock of ornithologists came together to discuss the possibility of an ornithological union. Five years later, the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union was hatched, which transformed into BirdLife Australia in 2012.
Now, with more than 65,000 supporters, BirdLife Australia is the nation’s largest bird conservation organisation, and their goal is to stop extinctions of bird species. Due to a wide range of threats, birds such as the woodland birds of south-eastern Australia, mallee birds and orangebellied parrots are either threatened with extinction or near-threatened. To help generate a wider understanding of Australian birds, BirdLife Australia launched Aussie Backyard Bird Count in 2014. Part of BirdLife Australia’s National Bird Week (19-25 October), #AussieBirdCount, also known as Aussie Backyard Bird Count, is now the largest citizen science event in Australia.
The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is a suitable activity for all ages and simply involves spending 20 minutes standing or sitting in one spot and noting down the birds that you see. You will need to count the number of each species you spot within the 20-minute period and report the count back to BirdLife via Aussie Bird Count app or website. The app has a handy field guide to help you identify birds. This year’s event is an opportunity for all Australians to get in tune with nature and be part of a national effort to track how everyday Australian birds are faring. More than 88,000 people participated in the event last year, counting almost 3.4 million birds. This year, the goal is for more than 100,000 Aussies to take part. aussiebirdcount.org.au
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