Each April and May there is a mass movement of honeyeaters and other songbirds from Victoria seeking to take advantage of both our warmer climate and the winter flowering of native trees and shrubs.
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.
But 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.
As a result Campbelltown experiences a wide range of bird migration in autumn.
Now 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 at Simmos Beach Reserve 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.
Campbelltown Council in partnership with Simmos Beach Bushcare Group will host the walk from 7am to 9am on Saturday, April 27.
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,” says 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.
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.
To register for the bushwalk, visit www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn/MarvelsofMigrationSimmosBeachReserve
