Bird Courses Casterton and Portland

1. Portland: Portland Library, Large Meeting room. When: Thursday 22 & 29 Sep, 6, 20 & 27 Oct, 3, 10, 17 & 24 Nov, and 1st Dec. From 5 PM – 9 PM.
2. Casterton: Casterton Town Hall, 67 Henty St, Casterton. When: Wednesday 21 & 28 Sep, 5, 19 & 26 Oct, 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Nov. From 5 PM – 9 PM.

Download the flyer for Casterton here, or for Portland here. To register or for more details email

This community bird monitoring training program aims to foster a skilled body of community members across the region capable of carrying out bird surveys to facilitate monitoring programs, improve community awareness of biodiversity and advance community involvement in environmental activities. The program will provide training in:

• key characteristics of each bird family to enable effective use of field guides;
• the layout of field guides and bird apps to rapidly select the appropriate sections for species observed;
• bird anatomy, feathers and colouration for identification;
• identification of birds of the region by sight;
• deciding when you can’t identify a bird;
• use of binoculars and telescopes;
• bird behaviour, movement patterns, habitat and microhabitat use to facilitate identification;
• identification of birds by call and use of bird apps to facilitate this;
• use of audio recorders to record bird calls for later ID;
• a range of field experiences in bird identification under expert guidance;
• bird speciation and evolution
• protocols to survey birds and use GPSs and Avenza Maps;
• effective data recording into the Birdlife Australia Birdata App; and