By Maddison Howell
MORE than 15,000 birds were counted across Greater Shepparton in a single week last year, giving conservationists valuable insight into the region’s wildlife and the habitats it depends on.
The tally of 15,630 individual birds during the 2025 Aussie Bird Count highlighted how local residents can contribute to understanding Australia’s changing bird populations.
The 2026 count ran from October 19 to 25, with Greater Shepparton City Council and RiverConnect encouraging residents to take part in the national citizen science initiative run by BirdLife Australia.
Council’s Sharen Terry said the data helped identify which species were thriving and which might be declining, informing where conservation efforts could be needed.
“It’s really important because it helps build a national database so we better understand how birds are tracking, what ones are doing really well, and what ones might be in decline,” Ms Terry said.
She said habitat loss and development had placed pressure on wildlife, but residents could make a difference by planting native species in their gardens to provide food and shelter.
“We have such unique species here in Australia that aren’t found anywhere else in the world, birds are such delightful animals and we all love seeing them, their song fills us with joy and it’s really a wonderful way to start the day” she explained.
Greater Shepparton’s parks, wetlands and reserves offer important places for birdlife, with local spots including Boulevard Bush Reserve and Kalinga Park in Shepparton, Archers Field in Mooroopna and Cussen Park in Tatura.
Council has supported the count since 2015, also using the results to help monitor biodiversity and the environmental benefits of its One Tree Per Child revegetation program.
Although this year’s count has finished, Ms Terry encouraged residents to keep looking out for local birdlife and protecting the habitats that sustain it.
