Residents of Castle Hill are being asked to join in the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count to count birds in their local area.
The bird count looks for common birds found in and around backyards, whether the backyard is a beach, on a main thoroughfare or in the suburbs. Residents are asked to conduct counts of 20 minutes and to count the number of each type of bird seen during this time – common birds include Rainbow Lorikeets, Australian Magpies and Cockatoos.
Residents can count as many times as they wish throughout the week, and as the data is collected at the same time each year, it gives scientists a snapshot of the health of the environment and enables them to track trends in different areas. The Aussie Backyard Bird Count has developed an app to assist with bird identification and to upload results of the counts. Counts may also be uploaded to the website.
Surveys can be completed at any time of the day, although those at dusk and dawn will probably see the most bird activity. People are also encouraged to complete surveys from different locations if possible, and to focus on birds close enough to identify – binoculars are not required.
Organisers of surveys like this will often use flyer printing to assist with publicising the event and ensuring people are aware of the upcoming survey.
For more information or to register for the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, which will be taking place between Monday, October 19 and Sunday, October 25, see the official website.
