Local bird watchers can join a guided bushwalk to learn about the current annual migration of honeyeaters and other birds through Campbelltown.
The Bush Explorers Marvels of Migration walk to look and listen for honeyeaters and other bush-birds comes as thousands of the song birds head through the region on their autumn migration.
Council in partnership with Simmos Reserve Bushcare Group will host the walk at Simmos Beach Reserve, in Macquarie Fields, from 7am to 9am on Saturday 27 April.
A guide from Council’s open space team will explain bird navigation and the migratory behaviours of honeyeaters, wattlebirds and silvereyes as they head northwards and coast-wards to their warm winter homes.
“We are lucky to have so much wildlife around us living here in Campbelltown,” said Mayor George Brticevic.
“Something Council is strongly committed to is protecting the environment, which also means taking a lead role in environmental education,” Cr Brticevic said.
“This guided walk and talk reveals a lot about a fascinating topic that is happening right over our heads,” he said.
Each April and May, there is a mass movement of honeyeaters and other songbirds from both Victoria and the highlands of the Great Divide northwards and coast-wards to take advantage of both the warmer climate and the winter flowering of our native trees and shrubs.
Campbelltown experiences a wide range of bird migration.
Spring marks the arrival of the common koel and channel-billed cuckoos, which are amongst a number of bird species that winter in New Guinea or Indonesia and migrate to Australia for the summer breeding season.
They are replaced by winter visitors from Victoria and Tasmania, such as the Rose and Flame Robins, pretty songbirds that prefer the balmy winters of Macarthur to the chilly climes of the south.
The bushwalk is free but spaces are limited and you must register to secure your spot.
Walkers should wear long pants, sturdy shoes and seasonally appropriate clothing and bring a bottle of water. If you have them, you can bring a camera and binoculars to help get the best out of your wildlife spotting.
For any questions contact Council’s Natural Areas Team on 4645 4194.
