East Point Bird Watching Walk

City of Darwin is inviting bird watchers of all ages to join a free East Point Bird Watching Walk on 20 October, meeting at 5pm at Singh Park.

The East Point Bird Watching Walk will be led by bird experts from BirdLife Top End after an introduction from the City of Darwin Gardens for Wildlife Officer.

Bird Watchers will have the opportunity to learn about birds that live and thrive at East Point, their habitats, numbers and migration patterns.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis encouraged the community become involved.

“This special event is aimed at anyone who has an interest in birds.  You will be amazed at the number and variety of birds that live at East Point, so close to the city.”

Amanda Lilleyman, a bird researcher based at Charles Darwin University and Convenor of BirdLife Top End, says she hopes during the walk to point out birds that live in the area.

“East Point is home to many birds and we could see Rainbow Pitta, Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Emerald Dove, Green-backed Gerygone, Australasian Figbird, Spangled Drongo and Northern Fantail.”  

“Birdwatching is for everyone. We live in a birdwatcher’s paradise here in the Top End and watching birds can have positive benefits for people, including getting out in nature, reducing stress and improving wellbeing. I encourage anyone with an interest in our local birdlife to come on the walk and learn more about the beautiful East Point reserve and why it’s important to have green space close to a city.”

The Bird Watching Walk is being held as part of the annual National Backyard Bird Count, from 19 - 25 October, an initiative of BirdLife Australia.

Information gathered over the week-long Bird Count event has assisted researchers and conservationists by providing real data on bird numbers and bird types across Australia.

People can participate in the Bird Count by going to the same location at the same time and counting the number and type of birds they see at that location over a twenty minute period each day for a week.

For people who may not know the names of the birds living in and around their suburb the Aussie Bird Count app includes a field guide to help identify birds.

“Anyone can be involved in the Bird Count,” says Lord Mayor Vatskalis “from complete novices to expert bird watchers.”

“It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment, house or on a boat,” he said “the statistics you collect over the week period will make a real difference and help us understand the health of our environment here in Darwin.”

“The important thing is being involved; the information collected will help us understand trends, the health of our environment and have the benefit of helping to protect our birds; the more information we have the better.”

Data collected for the Backyard Bird Count can be submitted through the app or via the online web form at BirdLife Australia.

For more information about the Backyard Bird Count and how to be involved visit - https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/

For more information on BirdLife Top End go to: https://www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-top-end   Singh Park is the small park before the entrance to Pee Wees at the Point.