Aussie Bird Count is back

Bold, adaptable species, the Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, and Australian Magpie topped the charts.

To take part, pick your spot, anywhere you like from your favourite park to your garden and spend 20 minutes quietly observing the birds you see.

Submit your count using the Aussie Bird Count app, which will help you identify the birds you see and hear.

You can count as many times as you like during Bird Week, as long as each count lasts 20 minutes and is submitted separately.

BirdLife Australia’s Sean Dooley said it was not about being a bird expert, but about spending time outdoors and learning something new about your local environment.

“The Aussie Bird Count shows how citizen science can bring families and communities together while contributing to our understanding of Australia’s unique wildlife,” Mr Dooley said.

“A simple 20-minute activity can become an annual family tradition that teaches everyone about observation and nature.”

With more than a decade of data, the Aussie Bird Count results can provide BirdLife Australia with insights into trends in urban bird populations.

“Birds are indicators of environmental health,” BirdLife Australia CEO Kate Millar said.

“One in six Australian bird species is now under threat, so taking note of the birds around us has never been more important.

“It’s also often a first step on a longer journey of curiosity, from noticing birds to caring about them, and from caring to protecting.

“Whether you’re watching rainbow lorikeets on your balcony, ducks in your local pond, or fairy-wrens darting through your backyard, we want everyone to experience the joy birds bring.

“Communities that care about nature are communities that protect it.”