Prized rare bird spotted in hundreds at Katherine Bird Festival

OCTOBER 9 2018 - 10:23AM

Roxanne Fitzgerald

More than 130 bird watching enthusiasts had more than a sneak peak at Australia’s most colourful bird, the Gouldian finch, at the Katherine Bird Watching Festival. 

Attracting interest from both local residents from the Katherine region as well as interstate travellers, the festival provided one of the best opportunities to see hundreds of the once endangered species. 

Tying science with unique wildlife observation, the Katherine Bird Festival made the most of one of the world’s best bird watching spots. 

Festival organiser and bird expert, Mick Jerram said at one of the finch counts spectators saw 220 Gouldian finches in addition to an array of other bird species. 

“The counts were really well attended, making for some really strong data collection that we will be able to provide to scientists at CDU who are studying the finches in the Yinberrie Hills and Mt Todd area,” Mr Jerram said.

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