Counting crows (and cockatoos, and kookaburras): BirdLife Australia’s Aussie bird count takes flight for 2026

Key points

• Students at Cedars Christian College in Wollongong are using BirdLife Australia's Aussie bird count to bring birdwatching into their lessons this week. Teacher Karen Jooste has woven the count into maths, writing and lessons on biodiversity and conservation, drawing on a tree-lined creek that draws many species to the school grounds.
• Activities include a tally sheet with identification pictures and reading outdoors among the birds.
• Sean Dooley of BirdLife Australia says more than 3.7 million birds have been counted so far, putting 2026 on track to beat 2025.