General News
2 July, 2025
Information session to track bird species
AN upcoming presentation will teach residents how to track bird sightings in their area, which could help understanding endangered bird population numbers.
The presentation will take place at the Heytesbury District Landcare Network (HDLN) office in Timboon and will be run by project officer Kate Leslie.
On Thursday, July 10, from 1-2pm, attendees will learn about the app eBird and how to use it.
Ms Leslie said she used the app when looking for red necked stints in Peterborough and was able to record sightings of many other species.
“I used eBird to keep track of what other birds I saw – 12 other species,” she said.
“You probably know more birds than you think and would recognise them.
“At the presentation I’ll take you through that list of what I saw in the area.
“It’s a fabulous way of tracking your own bird observations but also what other people in the area are seeing too.
“Its worldwide, so you can see migration patterns of birds across the world, it’s amazing.”
The app can be useful in tracking native bird sightings, particularly for endangered species such as the gang-gang cockatoo.
According to Birdlife Australia, gang-gang cockatoos will spend the cooler autumn and winter months after the breeding season in lowland towns and cities.
A social media group was created, reaching 120 members, called The Birds of Port Campbell, where many residents noticed gang-gang cockatoos flocking to their properties to drink water before returning to tree canopies for safety.
Ms Leslie said she hoped many people would attend to learn about how to track bird species using the app, because if it was popular she would be happy to run the presentation again.
No registration is needed – just attend on the day ready to learn.
The HDLN office is located next to the National Australia Bank on Main Street in Timboon.
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