HERE is a project for bird lovers.
The National Parks Association of NSW, with BirdLife Australia's Birds in Backyards program and the University of Sydney, are asking people to keep an eye on their bird baths and to let them know what local birds they see taking a dip.
The summer Bathing Birds project is a follow-up to a successful winter survey in which more than 1100 people took part.
Bathing Birds project co-ordinator Grainne Cleary said the summer survey was set to be even bigger with more than 3000 people signed up and ready to go.
"Our citizen scientists are helping us answer important questions in terms of understanding how people interact with birds and what can be done to conserve our smaller birds," Dr Cleary said.
She said bird baths were one of the most popular ways that residents could help local bird life.
To get involved all you need to do:
- Visit www.bathingbirds.com.au and complete a short online questionnaire about your garden and its bird bath; then
- Watch your bird bath for 20 minutes at least once a week for up to four weeks.
"You can even do it looking out the kitchen window with a cup of tea," Dr Cleary said.
"Bathing birds offers a great way to get connected with the birds that share your neighbourhood and help further our knowledge about the birds at the same time."
The project runs until February 23.
Go to www.bathingbirds.com.au to find out more and to register and check out the Bathing Birds facebook page: www.facebook.com/bathingbirds
Do you have a bird bath?
