Pemberton is home to over 80 species of birds, some of them quite rare. Should you visit the Gloucester Tree you will be enthralled by the number and variety of friendly Western Rosella, the 28 parrot, bronzewing pigeon, the Rufus treecreeper and many others. Should you be interested local tour guides are able to assist bird enthusiasts and tours are available.

The exquisite (and noisy!) Red Tailed Cockatoo is common from November to April when they nest. It is interesting to note that they return to the same tree each year and tend to mate for life. Our coastlines have an amazing array of birdlife, and the hooded plovers are a rare sight. Late December is also a good time to see our fairy terns nest - just keep clear of them as they will abandon both nests and chicks if frightened. 

 

Should you wish to find more information on the cockatoo visit www.cockatoocare.com.

A checklist of birds seen in the region is attached below for you to print off. Don’t forget to bring it with you on holiday along with bird identification book and binoculars. This would also suit families with children aged 6-12 years. Don’t forget to print of a copy!

Bird Watch

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Water is very important to the bird life in the area. It supplies drinking water for birds, as well as it offers a home for them where they feed, shelter and rear their young. In ‘bird watch’you will find many common and fairly widely distributed birds of the south west.Their presence can tell us about the quality of our water and other organisms likely to be found there. The identification sheets will help you to identify some of the birds in and around our waterways.

 

Do not worry if you can’t identify them all. It takes a long time to become a bird expert.

Big Brook Dam is an ideal location to try this activity. It has bird and animal hides all around its circumference. Dont be surprised if you see black Swans during summer!

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The 'Pemberton Bird Walk' is located in Pemberton Forest Park - start off by finding the Pemberton Caravan Park on Swimmng Pool Road and turn left up Pumphill Road. The start of the walk is on your left just after Lefroy Brook Bridge.

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Activity

Open & print the Bird Watch activity sheet and bring it on holiday with you. Find a nice quiet place by a water source and while you are at your water-monitoring site, fill in the details.

First box – Where the birds were seen. eg. reeds, edge.

Second box – Number of birds. Try to estimate a number.

Other notes – Bird activity eg preening, roosting, and looking after their young, feeding or resting.

 

Something to think about or discuss.

1. Does the waterway have lots of bird life? Explain.

2. Do you think any of the birds may be breeding at this site? What evidence do you have for this?

3. Using the library (or google), for each of the birds you identified find out what it eats and how it collects food.

 

Apps that you may be interested in : – Michael Morcombe Birds Australian