The Victorian Twitchathon is back in 2016! And this time we’re running in conjunction with national results and prizes. In Victoria, this year, we are aiming to help our shorebirds, and to assist with the Shorebirds 2020 program (see http://birdlife.org.au/projects/shorebirds-2020).

As you know, many of our shorebirds are in major decline and they need help! For instance, over the last 25 years of monitoring migratory shorebirds in Australia some species such as the Curlew Sandpiper have decreased by 50-80%! The Curlew Sandpiper is now considered critically endangered federally (see http://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/curlew-sandpiper). The Shorebirds 2020 Program aims to provide reliable data on shorebird declines and the factors that cause it. Without this information we cannot protect shorebirds and their habitats effectively in Australia or on their migration route.

So dust down those binoculars, polish up on your identification skills, talk to your birding friends, and get your team together! The Birdlife Victoria Twitchathon will be held on the weekend of 5 and 6 November 2016, the week after its lead in event, the Melbourne Cup. Get your entries form in for 2016 Twitchathon now!

There’s three main events in 2016. A 24-hr race, and new categories for Victoria, the 12-hr race, and a Birdathon. Entering is easy. Simply contact me and I will provide you with details about how to register. You can ring or message me on 0448801674 or email me at dolby.timothy@gmail.com. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. So, for the benefit of our threatened shorebirds and the chance to have some fantastic birding fun, get involved!