Let the Bird Count begin!
Illawarra Birders president Terrill Nordstrom gives Brian Kelly the lowdown on what to look for locally. The Aussie Backyard Bird Count (you don’t have to do it in your actual backyard) will be on from 18-24 October, during National Bird Week...
Illawarra Birders president Terrill Nordstrom gives Brian Kelly the lowdown on what to look for locally.
The Aussie Backyard Bird Count (you don’t have to do it in your actual backyard) will be on from 18-24 October, during National Bird Week.
Your role is to sit down for 20 minutes and note the birds you see, thus providing BirdLife Australia with valuable data.
As all eyes look to the skies (and trees and the ground), there’s no better time to ask a few questions of Illawarra Birders president Terrill Nordstrom.
How long have you been keen on our avian friends?
Seventeen years in the Illawarra. I have been watching birds since I was 10 and recording them since 1970.
Your book, A Guide To Birdlife of the Illawarra Region of NSW, was recently published. What has been the response to it?
My book has been going well and I have had a lot of positive feedback on it.
We hear a lot these days about the dangers of habitat loss when it comes to wildlife generally. How is this affecting the birds of the Illawarra?
Any habitat loss will affect populations and species diversity. The clearing of land for farms in the early days of settlement reduced the habitat for a number of species and now the loss of farmland to housing will also affect a number of bird species.
Which birds of our region are rare/endangered ... are there any whose future you truly fear for?
There are a number of endangered species in the Illawarra; some species such as waders are affected by development and habitat loss that happens overseas. Other species such as the regent honeyeater have declined because of habitat loss along the east coast of Australia.
Swift parrot, Pacific emerald dove, regent honeyeater, scarlet robin, hooded robin, black-chinned honeyeater are a few species that we might lose in the next few years.
A record number of people took part in last year's Bird Count – what are your feelings on the event?
The bird count is a great way to get everyday Australians interested in birds, I’m all for it.
With spring here, which species in the region will become notably active?
Spring birds are starting to arrive now, species such as the eastern koel, channel-billed cuckoo, shining-bronze cuckoo, rufous whistler, white-throated gerygone, reed warbler, fairy martin, just to name a few.
What tips would you have for beginners?
Buy a good bird guide, a good set of binoculars and join a bird club and go on some walks with more experienced birders.
If you could come back as a bird, which species would it be?
The Peregrine Falcon – it’s the master of the skies.
