The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is the largest citizen science project in the country, and runs until October 23.

Council’s bushland projects officer Karen Guymer said the project provided an important snapshot of the birds that lived where people do.

“Once results are in we look at the trends in bird communities and see which state has the most birds, which birds are doing well and those that aren’t,” she said.  

As part of the project participants are asked to record the number of birds they see for 20 minutes.  

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an expert birdwatcher, participants simply record the birds they know and look up the ones they don’t on the Bird Count App or on the Birdlife Australia website,” Ms Guymer said.

Last year more than one million birds were counted by over 9000 volunteers Australia-wide. Organisers hope to exceed that count this year.  

Birdlife Southern Highlands liaison officer Col Kohlhagen said the count could be undertaken on any day within National Bird Week.  

“It doesn’t matter which day of the week you decide to count the birds,” he said.  “All you have to do is set aside 20 minutes and enjoy some time in our great outdoors.”  

He said birds could be counted in the backyard, the local park, the school yard or a person’s favourite green place.

“The main thing is to participate, help contribute to the project and have a bit of fun in the process.”  

For more information on the Aussie Bird Count including registration details or to download the free Bird Count App visit www.aussiebirdcount.org.au.  

A total of 189 local checklists were submitted last year with 4182 birds counted from 117 bird species. The stunning Crimson Rosella and Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo topped the list across the shire in 2015.