Sunbury residents are gathering once again to count kangaroos in the township, hoping into another year of the annual exercise.
On May 12, volunteers will gather at dawn to count and identify western grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies and wombats.
Count founder and resident Robert Irvine is looking for people to assist him in the count, which initially started when a kangaroo hopped past him while he was cycling.
“We’re still looking for as many volunteers as possible. The more volunteers you get the more you can see,” Mr Irvine said.
“It’s interesting data gathering. I spoke to a local resident who has lived [in Sunbury] since 1962 and it took 10 years before they saw his first kangaroo in the area.”
Last year, Mr Irvine’s count revealed the marsupials have sustained their population, with about 537 kangaroos recorded over a couple of days.
Following these results, Mr Irvine said some standout locations include the Sunbury fields and Mount Holden, with the roos preferring to retreat under the trees or lay in the long grass during the day.
This year volunteers will be counting the kangaroos in Elizabeth Drive in Kenway, Sherwood Grange, Emu Bottom Wetlands, The Parkway, Enterprise Drive, Red stone Hill, Moore Road, Mount Holden, The Strand, Kent hill Court, Canterbury Hills, and Gap, Wileman, Burke’s Hill and Reservoir Road.
Anyone interested can email Mr Irvine for more information.
Details: Robert.irvine614@gmail.com
