Become a citizen scientist and take part in the Aussie Bird Count.
It is National Bird Week and residents can still make a difference for bird conservation by participating in the 2022 Aussie Bird Count until Sunday.
All you need to do is pick a spot outside and count birds for at least 20 minutes to help researchers create a snapshot of Australia’s urban and more common bird species. Data collected is submitted through the Aussie Bird Count app or through an online web form.
“The annual Aussie Bird Count is a great way for residents to enjoy the outdoors and learn about birds in our shire,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Environment and Sustainability Officer, Michael Chambers.
“Last year 112 residents took part, and we would love to see even greater participation this year.”
Starting in 2014, the Aussie Bird Count has become one of the largest citizen science projects in Australia. The 2021 Aussie Bird Count saw more than 100,000 Australians take to their local green spaces to count nearly 5 million individual birds. Across the Parkes Shire, residents recorded a total of 5,013 individual birds across 86 species. The most recorded species in the Parkes Shire was the Galah, followed by Crested Pigeons, House Sparrows, Apostlebirds and Australian Magpies. Several species listed as ‘vulnerable’ under federal legislation were also sighted, including Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (Pink Cockatoo), Grey-Crowned Babbler, Brown Treecreeper, Dusky Wood Swallow, Superb Parrot and the Speckled Warbler.
Data obtained from annual Aussie Bird Counts helps Council increase environmental engagement among residents, informs land management decisions and can indicate the impacts of tree planting efforts across the Shire.
For residents interested in attracting more wildlife to their gardens, Council will be giving away native shrubs and trees at the Spring Fling Market that has been postponed to Saturday, 19th November.
You can download the Aussie Bird Count app for free, or use the online form at https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/submit-a-count/