Territorians are invited to join Parks and Wildlife Commission NT (PWCNT) rangers and help contribute to this year’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count.

PWCNT is hosting bird watching activities in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs as part of the Bird Count, which is a nationwide citizen science project that involves people all over Australia recording birds in their local area from 17-23 October.

“The Territory is home to some majestic and fascinating birds    and twitchers old and new are welcome to help us undertake the count,” Katherine PWCNT community engagement officer Clare Pearce said.

“We have binoculars available to borrow and will be on hand to help out with identification so the week is a great chance to learn a few tricks of the bird watching trade.

“The Katherine River at the Low Level Nature Reserve is a beautiful spot and an hour spent sitting quietly on the bank of the river is a great way to start the day.

“So come down to the Lowey and join us between 7.30am and 8.30am on the mornings of Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 October.

“And if you want to go the extra step and download the Aussie Bird Count app from Birdlife Australia and bring along your smart phone, you can even log your own survey.”

Alice Springs PWCNT community engagement officer Susie Armes is hosting bird watching activities in at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station and in Tennant Creek as part of Barkly Nature Watch.

“The week kicks off with a children’s bird watching activity on Tuesday 18 October from 4:30pm at the front of the Tennant Creek Town Library,” Ms Armes said.

“We’ll search high and low for feathered friends and hopefully make some along the way.

“On Thursday 20 October, we’re putting on a twilight bird watching activity from 5:30pm at Lake Mary Ann.

“And on 23 October, Territorians can bring a picnic breakfast from 8:30 am along to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station and relax under the trees as you get to know some of our beautiful Central Australian birds.”

Darwin PWCNT community engagement officer JoAnne Scott said the Territory’s parks and reserves offer valuable habitats for birds and are perfect places to see some amazing birdlife.

“We are lucky at this time of year to have about 30 species of migratory shorebirds visiting on their annual journey from the northern hemisphere, from as far away as China and Russia,” Ms Scott said.

“Visitors to Lee Point at Casuarina Coastal Reserve can view and learn about our seasonal international feathered friends, including Great Knots, from 5pm Monday, 17 October as part of an annual shorebird survey.

“If you’re more interested in local birds, head out to Fogg Dam at 8 am on Saturday 22 October where we are hosting a morning of bird watching for beginners in collaboration with Friends of Fogg Dam and Land for Wildlife.

“Everyone is welcome to come along and take a walk with us through the woodland and wetland habitats to learn and recognise the birds that live here and you might even find in your backyard.

“As part of your visit to Fogg Dam, we’ll be assisting the Friends of Fogg Dam with their regular observational bird survey.

“The Territory Wildlife Park will be celebrating Birds In Back Yards (BIBY) by hosting bird themed activities on 22 October where you can learn why birds have different back shapes, investigate the touch tables of special behind-the-scenes treasures and get up close with birds in the aviaries or consider booking your personal bird encounter with a guide.

“At the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, pick up your very own bird ID sheet from the orientation centre at any time throughout the week and tick off what you see, such as Rufous Owl which was sighted at the Rainforest last week.

“If you bring your smart phone, join the citizen science craze and do your own Aussie Backyard Bird Count at the same time.

“Your parks are your backyard too, so get out during bird week to find some of our unique, beautiful Territory birds and record them in the National Bird Count.”

For interviews and more information on these free events, contact:

·         Darwin - JoAnne Scott on 89994432 or email joanne.scott@nt.gov.au

·         Katherine – Clare Pearce on 89738865 or email clare.pearce@nt.gov.au

·         Alice Springs / Tennant Creek – Susie Armes on 89518247 or email susie.armes@nt.gov.au

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