This week’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count relies on locals to help paint a picture of active birdlife across the Western Plains and across the state. 

The annual event challenges everyone to spend 20 minutes in their backyard watching the birdlife that comes and goes, logging it on Birdlife Australia’s app or website. The observations made this week, October 18-24, contribute to a national database of local birdlife. 

In its 8^th year, Birdlife Australia’s NSW Project Coordinator Mick Roderick says that the count has already chased and revealed fascinating changes in birdlife across the Western Plains. 

“Birds like the rainbow lorikeet and the noisy miner are really starting to march out West. We’re starting to see those birds turn up in towns across the plains,” Mr Roderick said. 

While the birds’ beauty is an asset to local landscapes, their territorial nature poses a threat to locally native wildlife populations.

“You will really only have one species because they will keep other birds away. In particular the noisy miner is really territorial. It’s good to see these birds in towns but it may not be a good thing for bird diversity,” said Mr Roderick. 

While the Western Plains is home to plethora of birdlife, Mr Roderick says that it’s clouded in mystery compared to other regions and would benefit from more locals participating in the bird count. 

“Birdwatchers out here are normally restricted to the roadside because a lot of land out west is on private property. It’s those places that birdwatchers, ecologists and scientists have been able to access, and probably where the biggest gaps are,” he said. 

Participants aren’t limited to those who know their bird species, with Birdlife Australia contributing several resources and bird field guides that help to identify what you see. 

“The beauty of birds is that they’re around us all the time and they’re awake during the day. You’d struggle to do this with frogs or reptiles because they’re hard to find,” said Mr Roderick. 

The data collected over the course of the week contributes to a repository of information that helps to identify trends in birdlife over time in particular areas. Concerns have already been expressed around some of the smaller species like Willie Wagtails - but perhaps your experience doesn't bear this out.

“Us as Birdlife Australia, we’re doing this five days a week, 52 weeks a year. This is the week we really want to get the community out and recording in their backyards and their local area.”

Check out the Great Aussie Backyard Bird Count here.