CERES Joe’s Bird Count Picnic

Join us at CERES Joe’s Market Garden to take part in the Aussie Bird Count and get to know our beautiful birds of the Merri Creek!

The national bird count is run by Birdlife Australia from 16–22 October 2023. Participants all over the country will choose a spot and count the birds they see in 20 minutes, before registering their count online.

We will be running two 20 minute counting slots, at 11am and 12pm.

Entry to the bird count is free, with the option of attending a paid bird language workshop and/or guided bird walk along the Merri. There will be a bird themed raffle, children’s craft activity, music and more!

Please register your attendance below – we hope to see you there.

Workshop details: price $25 per adult, children under 12 free

#1 Bird Language with Emily Coats of Nature’s Apprentice 10:30-11:30

Emily is a passionate advocate and facilitator of deep nature connection practices that awaken full sensory awareness, quieten the mind, and enliven body and Soul. Her teachers include master tracker Tom Brown, nature connection expert Jon Young and Australian bird language teacher Andrew Turbill, as well as multiple sit spots she has come to love over the last four years. Emily is also a dancer and experimenting with weaving movement and nature connection practices together. She lives on Wurundjeri country in Warrandyte where she shares her garden with over 50 species of birds. She loves to escape to the bush and sink into Deep Time, practice her skills and apprentice to the mysteries of the wilds.

#2 Guided birds of the Merri Creek walk with Tristan Best from Friends of Merri Creek 11:30-12:30

Walking along the Merri Creek from Joe’s Garden, learn about the birds, habitat and history along the way.

With over 35 years of experience studying birds and their behaviour, including more than 10 years’
experience conducting a variety of surveys along the Merri and Darebin Creeks and their
surroundings, Tristan is looking forward to answering your questions and hopefully teaching everyone at
least one new thing on the day.