Residents urged to join the great Aussie Backyard Bird Count

Published on 17 October 2018

Sunraysia residents will be encouraged to take a greater interest in the region’s birdlife later this month by joining Mildura Rural City Council in supporting the Aussie Backyard Bird Count.

The initiative takes place as part of National Bird Week between 22 October and 28 October, and will this year see Council participate for the first time with its own event on the Mildura riverfront.

Council will hold its bird count on Sunday 28 October, opposite the Mildura Water Play Park from 10am to 2pm. Anyone can participate in the event, with bird enthusiasts on hand to help identify the vast array of birds in our local environment.

The nation-wide event involves residents counting and identifying birds in their regions and joining tens of thousands of Australians in submitting their counts to the Aussie Backyard Bird Count website.

Last year, over 74,000 residents counted more than 1.9 million birds.

Councillor for Farming and Environmental Sustainability Anthony Cirillo said the event would provide a host of benefits for the community.

“This is a great initiative that not only gives residents a greater appreciation of the birdlife in their own backyards, but by submitting their counts, it helps Birdlife Australia understand more about birds that live in built-up areas,” Cr Cirillo said.

“It’s also a fun way for people who are already bird-lovers to further explore their interest.”

Residents can register their own events on the Aussie Backyard Bird Count website at https://aussiebirdcount.org.au. They then count birds as many times as they like throughout National Bird Week, provided counts take place over a 20-minute period. 

These counts are then submitted to the website.

“This is a great way for residents to gain a better appreciation of birds, whether it be in your backyard, the local park, down by the river or in Mildura’s CBD, it can be anywhere,” Cr Cirillo said.

Participants also go in the draw to win several prizes on offer.

For more information visit https://aussiebirdcount.org.au or call Council’s Environmental Education Officer Shaphal Subedi on (03) 5018 8100. 

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au