Help protect Sunbury’s birds

Volunteers at a previous Hume council National Tree Day event. (Supplied) 245999_01

Oliver Lees

Hume council is seeking volunteers to help protect and nurture Sunbury’s bird life.

Council will be hosting its Bird Buddies National Tree Day event on August 22 at Spavin Lake, where participants can get involved in planting shrubs and other vegetation to provide habitat and feed for the bird population.

Guest speakers will provide all participants with a tour of the lake, pointing out wetland and woodland bird species.

The event was originally scheduled to take place on National Tree Day but was postponed due to Melbourne’s fifth lockdown.

Hume council sustainable infrastructure and services director Peter Waite said the event is designed to educate the public on how to look after local habitat.

“Sunbury’s Spavin Lake is a very popular place for locals, however, we know that some activities can have negative impacts on local birds, which can get caught in fishing line and litter, and lead to wildlife rescuers visiting regularly to help them,” Mr Waite said.

“Council will be giving out copies of the Birds of Hume field guide and the Fauna of Hume field guide, so that people can learn to identify birds and other wildlife living in their neighbourhood.

Council’s arborists will also demonstrate how to create hollow habitats out of fallen tree limbs.

The event is free but registration is required.

Details: www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/Bird-Buddies-National-Tree-Day-141929784807