GET TWITCHING
If you’ve been looking for a reason to slow down, get outside, and reconnect with the natural world, September provides plenty of opportunities to explore Darwin’s wild side.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE EMMA LUPIN
LANDCARE NT OFFERS a range of opportunities to get outdoors this month. Kicking things off is an accessible bird outing led by local youth worker, bird watcher, and nature advocate, Mitch Rose. Designed to be welcoming to people of all abilities, these slower-paced birdwatching experiences are suitable for people living with disability, and neurodivergent people looking for a relaxed introduction to birding.
“Running these outings has reinforced to me that birding, however people choose to do it, is as much about community, respect, and enjoying the company of the things we love as it is about the birds themselves,” says Rose.
“For some people, that might mean birding with very few other people around, using a particular sensory experience to notice birds, moving at a different pace, or choosing a pace that is accessible and comfortable for them. Ultimately, it comes down to care and connection – to each other and to the world around us.”
Landcare NT teams up with local restoration champion Simon Love for Ludmilla Landcare 101, a practical introduction to environmental restoration.
Taking place at the Ludmilla Creek revegetation site, the session explores everything from revegetation and restoration to weed identification and control, fire and fuel management, and the importance of long-term community conservation. It’s also a chance to discover how local Landcare groups are making a difference and find out about future volunteering opportunities.
Bird lovers have another opportunity to get out in nature when Rose leads a guided walk through the mangroves and shorebird habitats of Sandy Creek. Participants learn how to identify local bird species, understand their behaviour and habitats, and even contribute to citizen science projects that help build a better picture of Darwin’s wildlife.
There’s no better time to get twitching!
Accessible Bird Outing
SAT 5 SEP | 8-10AM
JINGILI WATER GARDENS | $15
Ludmilla Landcare 101
SUN 13 SEP | 8.30-11.30AM
LUDMILLA CREEK | $10
Guided Bird Walk
SAT 19 SEP | 8-10AM SANDY CREEK | $15
INFO landcarent.org.au
