
The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is a great family activity to get everyone out and about.
Do you ever take much notice of the birds in your environment? Next week is National Bird Week from 21st to 27th October and time for the Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
All you need to do is spend 20 minutes outside and count the birds you can see using the specially designed Aussie Back- yard Bird Count app that will help you identify local birds.
“Council is always excited to support the Aussie Backyard Bird Count,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator Michael Chambers. “It’s a great opportunity for people of all ages to get outside into nature and participate in this fun activity which provides valuable data about the birdlife.”
This is a great opportunity to become citizen scientists, not only to help BirdLife Australia, but also to help Parkes Shire Council find out more about the birds that live in our Shire.
Last year 30 local observers participated in the bird count recording a total of 1,834 individual birds across 79 bird species. The iconic galah led the tally, followed by the introduced house sparrow, while the crested pigeon, apostlebird and rainbow lorikeet rounded out the top five. Of 79 species recorded in the Parkes Shire last year, only five are introduced species.
Parkes has great birding spots at Bush- mans Dam, PAC Park, Memorial Hill, Bumberry Dam, Bushmans Hill and Goobang National Park, or you can literally do it in your backyard.
Join one of Australia’s largest citizen science projects at aussiebirdcount.org.au or join the conversation with #AussieBird- Count.