Moorabool News The
EMAIL: news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Tuesday 13 October, 2020
Your Local News
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Vol 14 No 41
Count Me In Photo - © David Whelan 2020 wildpix.com.au.
By Lachlan Ellis (3rd Yr Deakin Uni) The Aussie Backyard Bird Count starts next Monday, with Aussies encouraged to count the feathered fauna for a chance at one of three prizes. Participants can join the count from 12am Monday 19 October, to 12 pm on Sunday 25 October. Counters can tally up the birds they see in a 20-minute period on the Aussie Bird Count app on smartphones and tablets, or via the Aussie Bird Count website at aussiebirdcount.org.au/ submit-a-count/. The Aussie Bird Count app also functions as a field guide/ bird finder, making identifying any birds you see much easier. Those who want to participate but don’t have a backyard are welcome to count birds in any outdoor space, such as a park, farm or schoolyard.
By joining the Bird Count, participants will help BirdLife Australia – the country’s largest bird conservation charity – understand local birds in their area. By looking at the trend of common species in each area, BirdLife Australia can get an indication of the local environment’s health. Last year’s Bird Count saw 3.4 million birds counted across Australia in just seven-days, with the most seen bird being the rainbow lorikeet - over 400,000 were counted across Australia. In Victoria, the Rainbow Lorikeet (43,525) was knocked off its perch by the Australian Magpie with 44,374 counted in 2019. For the first time since the Aussie Bird Count began in 2014, a new bird made it into the top ten most commonly seen species. With thousands more spotted in urban areas this year, the White Ibis or ‘Bin Chicken’ moved from 13th spot in 2018, to 10th spot in 2019. To register as a bird counter, visit aussiebirdcount.org. au/#register.
Four lucky participants will win a prize for their efforts. One pair of EL 8x32 Swarovision Binoculars worth over $2,690 is up for grabs, as well as one $375 ‘create your own flock’ print, and two Marini Ferlazzo packs worth over $100, including book marks, fridge magnets, a hard cover notebook and a tote bag. Top 10 Bird Count Victoria 2019 Australian Magpie....................................... 44,374 Rainbow Lorikeet......................................... 43,525 House Sparrow............................................. 35,021 Noisy Miner.................................................. 31,499 Red Wattlebird.............................................. 27,905 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.......................... 26,814 Common Myna............................................. 25,424 Common Starling......................................... 21,256 Silver Gull...................................................... 21,051 Common Blackbird...................................... 20,964
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