Program by Event

2018 Festival Program

Welcome to our 2018 Bruny Island Bird Festival Program, bursting at the seams with bird related events. BOOK NOW

Our community celebration of birdlife and nature is now in its 5^th anniversary and we are proud of how it has become such a joyful and well loved Australian birding event.
Please take time to read through the program and absorb all the fantastic walks, lectures, workshops and events that will be part of the Festival. We have done our very best to allow you to be able to attend a very diverse selection of activities over the 4 days, however you may have to plan carefully to fit in everything you wish to do.
Remember there are many events that do not require a booking, and due to the generosity of our presenters and sponsors, they are often free or 'donation only' to attend. The festival is diverse, inclusive and welcoming to all, no matter what your level of birding knowledge and interest may be.
We look forward to welcoming you to our very special Bruny Island Bird Festival on this unique and beautiful island.

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1. Birdwatching Tours

Birding Bruny Island - Day Tour Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st: 8:30am - 5:00pm (Monday if enough interest) Meet at Adventure Bay Hall carpark $190 pp. Bookings required. Min 6 people Max 8 A day tour of Bruny Island with a specialist Inala tour guide at a special festival only price will give you a fantastic opportunity to explore the many diverse habitats of Bruny Island (including a visit to the Inala Private Reserve ) and discover a fantastic selection of birds. You will learn about their calls, their identifying marks, their behaviours etc. The Inala guides know Bruny Island intimately and are overflowing with information about the flora, fauna, history, geology and seasonal rhythms of this remarkable island. You will be travelling in an Inala vehicle throughout the day. BYO lunch (Snacks and cold drinks provided). BOOK HERE
Bruny Island Seabird Cruise Friday 19th October, 11:00am - Bruny Island Cruises, 1005 Adventure Bay Road, Adventure Bay $135 adult, child (3-16 yrs) $85. Bookings required. Max 43 The Bird Festival joins forces with multi-award-winning Bruny Island Cruises exploring the edge of the majestic Southern Ocean and Bruny Island’s abundant coastal sea life. This specialist birding cruise will commence along the Bruny Island coastline, showcasing amazing scenery and offering a unique guided experience with Bird Festival expert seabird specialists: Paul Brooks and Dr Eric Woehler, who are passionate about birds. Expect to see inshore seabirds – gannets, shearwaters, gulls and terns – and we hope to see some of the oceanic species - albatrosses, petrels and prions – and hear about them through the lens of our expert guides as they seek out the best possible birding experiences. Expect also to see abundant coastal wildlife such as seals, dolphins and maybe even whales migrating back to their summer feeding grounds. Meet at Bruny Island Cruises office, 1005 Adventure Bay Rd ( please note they have moved to their new location right at the end of the Adventure Bay Rd since last festival) Bring warm & wet weather clothing, snacks and drink. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys / Bruny Cruises are a generous Gold Sponsor of the Bruny Island Bird Festival BOOK HERE
Penguin & Shearwater Colony Tour Friday 19th, Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st - 7.15pm for 7:30pm departure, Board buses at Festival Head Quarters, Adventure Bay Hall $15 adult, Children under 12 and with an adult $5. Bookings required. Max 20 per day Join an Inala bird guide and Dr Eric Woehler of BirdLife Tasmania to visit the Little Penguin colony at The Neck. Learn about and hopefully see Little Penguins as they make their way from the ocean back to their burrows after dark. You will also see the beautiful Short-tailed Shearwaters who breed at this site after their epic migration journey across the oceans from the Antarctic to the Arctic. Wear weather appropriate clothing. Bring your own torch, red cellophane will be provided. NB: No flash photography. Note: The colony area may be under construction up to and possibly during the festival. We have been granted special permission for access for these festival tours, and this may mean a walk of several hundred metres on flat ground. Tour 2 - 2.5hr duration. BOOK HERE
Pre & Post Festival Tours Inala is a partner of the Festival and is offering these small group shortened version of their classic Endemics Tour at a very special Bruny Bird Festival Price TOUR 1: Pre Bruny Bird Festival 13-17 October 2018 TOUR 2: Post Bruny Bird Festival 23-27 October 2018 (Both following same itinerary ) Lead by an experienced Inala ornithologist, this small-group, inclusive 4 night tour offers a snapshot of the best of Tasmanian birding and includes a Southern Ocean seabird pelagic boat trip, flight to the South-west World Heritage Area and time on Bruny Island. The trip will focus on the 12 Tasmanian endemic bird species, breeding endemics and numerous other specialties including Southern Ocean Seabirds. There will also be the opportunity to search for nocturnal marsupials now occurring only in Tasmania, as well as other marine and land mammals. Expected bird count to be over 100, and highlights include the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote, the critically endangered Swift Parrot and Orange-bellied Parrot, Little Penguin, Eastern Ground Parrot, and several species of albatross and petrel. Target mammals include Eastern Quoll and Bruny’s famous white Bennett’s Wallabies. ITINERARY OUTLINE - IDENTICAL FOR BOTH TOURS: ( Meals: B- breakfast, L-lunch and D-dinner ) Day 1. Hobart to Eaglehawk Neck. Accom: Eaglehawk Neck. Meals: LD. Day 2. Pelagic birding trip to continental shelf. Accom: Bruny. Meals: BLD. Day 3. Orange-bellied Parrot flight to SW Wilderness. Accom: Bruny. Meals: BLD. Day 4. Bruny Island. Accom: Bruny Island. Meals: BLD. Day 5. Bruny Island to Hobart. Accom: none. Meals B. Price:$2,800 per person twin share ($175 / $390 single supplement) For all further details and to book these tours, please view the Inala Nature Tours website and contact the friendly team at Inala on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (6293 1217) Please note: You cannot book these tours through the the festival booking page.

2. Birdwatching walks

Beach to Bush Walk Daily 8.30am- 10:00am, start at Adventure Bay Hall $10 adult, accompanied child under 12 free. Booking required. Max 12 Adventure Bay - guided by Bob Graham and Fiona Hume A Festival favourite guided by passionate bird lovers. Bruny Bird Festival founder Bob Graham & ecologist Fiona Hume take you on a gentle walk from the Adventure Bay shoreline through a selection of different habitats into beautiful tall forest. Your guides will help you see, hear and understand the range of bird species to be sighted in each different ecotone. Approx 1.5 hrs. BOOK HERE
Inala Property Walk Daily: 8:30am - 11.00am and 1:30pm - 4:00pm except Monday afernoon (tour may run to 3 hrs). MEETING AT INALA, 320 Cloudy Bay Rd, South Bruny - look for Festival flag and meet at carpark. $45 adult, $25 accompanied child 12yr and under. Bookings required. Min 6, Max 12 Suit Novice + Join an experienced Inala ornithologist for a 2.5-3-hour walking tour of Inala. Inala is a 1,500 acre private reserve and a centre for conservation work for several threatened and endangered species. Inala is home to one of the largest known populations of Forty-spotted Pardalotes, and on this tour you will learn about the conservation efforts undertaken to protect these species, as well as searching for other Tasmanian endemics and specialities. Highlights include the possibility of most of the Tasmanian endemics including Strong-billed Honeyeater and the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote. * younger family tours may be arranged if sufficient demand - Please ask. Note: With large enough numbers on any particular tour, it could possibly be split into novice and experienced groups BOOK HERE
Songs of the Bush - A Woodland Walk with Sarah Lloyd - FRIDAY WALK SOLD OUT Friday 19th, and Sunday 21st., 8.30am - 10am Adult $20 Child $5 (accompanied and 12yr and under) Max 20 A North Bruny, Great Bay woodland walk guided by Sarah Lloyd, renowned naturalist, photographer and author. Learn how to identify birds by their song as you follow easy hillside walking trails through bush, dry Eucalyptus woodland and patches of open farmland where you can hope to see a fantastic selection of bush birds including endemics, robins, honeyeaters, thornbills and firetails. Walk up the gentle slope of the hill to be rewarded at the top with an outstanding view over Great Bay and the d'Entrecasteaux Channel. Approx 1.5hrs. (Why not have a great bush breakfast before you begin your walk at the same location - bookings separate) Location: Eden Home Farm, 1771 Bruny Island Main Rd, Great Bay - The entrance to the property is midway between the Bruny Island Cheese Co. and Get Shucked. Look our for the Festival sign to Eden Home Farm and follow the signs to the top paddock. Plenty of parking available. BOOK HERE
Great Bay Woodland Walk with landowner Richard Clarke - SORRY SOLD OUT Saturday 20th., 8.30am - 10am Adult $20 Child $5 (accompanied and 12yr and under) Max 20 Join the landowner Richard Clarke and Ornithologist Catherine Young on a walk around this beautiful private property with a network of trails allowing for a fantastic walk through dry Eucalyptus woodland and patches of open farmland where you can hope to see a large selection of bush birds such as robins, honeyeaters, thornbills and firetails, as well as the chance of birds of prey and more. As you walk up the gentle slope of the hill you are rewarded at the top with an outstanding view over Great Bay and the d'Entrecasteaux Channel. This is a unique opportunity to hear the perspective of a land owner on the Bruny birdlife and a great way of discussing issues such as land management, balancing business and livestock with conservation and habitat restoration. Approx 1.5hrs. (Why not have your bush breakfast before your walk at the same location - bookings separate) Location: Eden Home Farm, 1771 Bruny Island Main Rd, Great Bay - The entrance to the property is midway between the Bruny Island Cheese Co. and Get Shucked. Look our for the Festival sign to Eden Home Farm and follow the signs to the top paddock. Plenty of parking available.
Great Bay Woodland Walk with Nick Mooney SORRY SOLD OUT Sunday 21st, 8:30am - 10:00 Adult $20 Child $5 (accompanied and 12yr and under) Booking required. Max 20 Join festival favourite Nick Mooney; Tasmanian Raptor and Birding Specialist; on a guided walk through dry Eucalyptus woodland and patches of open farmland on a private property above Great Bay. Nick will use his extensive knowledge of Tasmanian flora and fauna to help you discover a fantastic selection of bush birds and explain their behaviours and adaptations. After a walk through the network of trails and habitats, the final slope of the hill rewards you with an outstanding view over Great Bay and the d'Entrecasteaux Channel. Approx 1.5hrs. (Why not have your bush breakfast before your walk at the same location - bookings required separately) Location: Eden Home Farm, 1771 Bruny Island Main Rd, Great Bay - The entrance to the property is midway between the Bruny Island Cheese Co. and Get Shucked. Look our for the Festival sign to Eden Home Farm and follow the signs to the top paddock. Plenty of parking available.
Introduction to Shorebirds Saturday 20th, 10.30 – 11.30am - Captain Cook Creek. Adult - $10 Accompanied Child under 12 - Free Booking required. Max 25 Guided by shorebird expert Amanda Blakney from BirdLife Tasmania. Tasmania is the southernmost destination on a bird migration corridor between Siberia and Australia. These birds use the foreshore and beaches during the summer months to feed and prepare for their northward migration. Join Amanda to hopefully see a great selection of resident Bruny shorebirds, with the chance to see the tiny Hooded Plover. Learn how to identify shorebirds, learn about their seasonal changes and behaviours and how they survive in the challenging habitats in which they live. Formulate your trickiest shorebird questions to put an expert through her paces. Captain Cook Creek, Adventure Bay. Meet at the picnic area just after Captain Cook Creek. (Heading away from the hall towards the southern Fluted Cape end of Adventure Bay ) BOOK HERE
Inala Jurassic Garden Walk & Nature Centre self guided walk Daily: 9.00am to 4.30pm Inala, 320 Cloudy Bay Rd, South Bruny - look for Festival flag. $10 adult $5 child $20 family. No bookings required - Pay on arrival. This is a self-guided walk - take as long as you like. Welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the Gardens. The Nature Museum houses an extensive, private collection of fossils, gems, minerals, shells and natural specimens from Tasmania and around the world. Set over five acres, the Jurassic Gardens are easily explored by a sealed path that winds through almost 400 species of plants. All of the family groups represented in the gardens are remnants that have survived through history since the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana. Entry fees will support the care of injured and orphaned wildlife nurtured by Inala staff.
Swift Parrot Habitat Walk - Apollo Bay - SORRY SOLD OUT Monday 22nd, 8:30am - 10.00am $20 adult $5 accompanied child 12yr and under. Booking required. Min 6 Max 15 Guided by Dr Andrew Hingston, this walk is on private property with Swift Parrot habitat and both Swift Parrot and Forty-Spotted Pardalote nest boxes in use. This walk offers a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the status of the critically endangered Swift Parrot and results of the latest research undertaken into these and other hollow-nesting birds. And if you are lucky, you might get to see these beautiful but elusive birds. Meet at 39 Apollo Bay Rd (Turn into Apollo Bay Rd at the gaggle of letterboxes and the Festival sign. Travel about 400m up the road to the Festival flag at 39 Apollo Bay Rd and turn up into the bumpy driveway until the end (about 700m).

3. Talks and workshops

Workshop - The Art and Craft of Bird Photography with Chris Tzaros Friday 19th, 1:00pm - Lunawanna Memorial Hall, Lighthouse Rd, Lunawanna $100 adult $60 teen (10 - 17 yo) Bookings required. Max 20 Glean tips on photographing birds from an expert. Sessions will include a workshop presentation including a general introduction to digital photography, equipment, basic technical aspects of bird photography, field techniques, camera settings and photo editing/processing. Car pool or walk to likely bird spots. In the field, you can experiment with technical aspects and Chris will demonstrate field techniques. Afterwards, you can discuss/review your images and have more time for Q and A. Bring photography equipment Afterwards, you can discuss/review your images and have more time for Q and A.Bring photography equipment BOOK HERE ( Chris is a very generous supporter of the Bruny Island Bird Festival and a great deal of the images on the website and advertising belong to Chris )
Workshop - The big dead birds of Australia Friday 19th, 1:00- 1:30pm - Festival HQ When we think of fossils, we typically think of dinosaurs and giant mammals. However, Australia was also home to more than 90 known extinct bird species. These include some of the largest and weirdest birds to roam the Earth, such as the massive Thunderbirds (which include the demon duck of doom), the egg-burying megapodes and the dwarf emus of the Bass Strait islands. This workshop is being run by Matthew Fielding will include an introduction to some of these birds and an interactive identification activity. Suit all ages. Cost: Free (Donations appreciated)
Seabirds and Plastics interactive workshop Friday 19th, 2:00- 3:30pm - Adventure Bay Festival HQ Postgraduate students Peter Puskic and Megan Grant are investigating the impacts of plastic ingestion on seabirds. This workshop will aim to show the confronting reality of this situation. After an introductory presentation, participants will get hands on to investigate plastics regurgitated by or found within seabirds and within their nests and will separate these contents into organic and anthropogenic categories. These will then each be weighed and a catalogued allowing participants to assist with this scientific research. You will learn about the impact these anthropogenic debris may be having on the birds health and their environment. We will discover how scientists can use these plastic remains to uncover dietary and ecosystem health data from these birds and what this means for the future of our oceans. Free (Donations appreciated) Bookings required Suitable for 12 year-olds and upward, anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult
Louise Crossley Memorial Lecture - Dr Bob Brown Sunday 21st Oct, 6.30pm - Adventure Bay Hall A very special event to honour the enormous contributions Louise made to many environmental issues but in particular towards the protection of the Swift Parrot on Bruny Island. Bob Brown needs no introduction. He is a leading figure in many conservation action campaigns around Australia. Like Louise he has always been a passionate and generous supporter of the Bruny Island environment and the Bird Festival. Bob had a close collaborative and personal relationship with Louise Crossley and graciously accepted the invitation to speak for her memorial lecture. The lecture will include audio visual elements and will be on the topic of Apathy, arrogance and armageddon, an intriguing title… In complement to the lecture, there will also be beautiful live music. Drinks and nibbles by festival sponsor Hotel Bruny & Bruny Cider. Entry: $25 adult, $20 concession $10 child 8-14 Max 50 - Booking required. Proceeds from the evening will be dedicated to Swift Parrot conservation. BOOK HERE
Expert speakers Series - Adventure Bay starting 9am Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Location: Friday & Sunday - Bruny Bowls Club, Saturday TBD) The lectures are a core feature of the Bird Festival and the topics cover an incredible breadth of subjects across the birding world. We have our biggest festival lineup yet and we are once again showcasing a remarkable collection of knowledge and passion from the cream of Tasmania’s scientists, photographers, rangers, artists, journalists, guides, academics, students and environmental champions. For more detailed descriptions see Speakers series page The lectures are available for free, thanks to the very generous contribution of time and expertise by the presenters. Donations will be welcomed at the door. Please be there 5 minutes before the start time. Booking is not compulsary, however, we do appreciate knowing possible numbers in advance, so you can let us know on the booking form which lectures you may like to attend.

	Friday 19th Oct
When	What - for more detailed descriptions see Speakers series page	Who
9:00	Making the Midlands great again: restoring habitat for the unique woodland bird community of Tasmania	Glen Bain
9:50	Seabirds Sentinels of Marine Debris	Peter Puskic & Megan Grant
10:40	Raven populations are enhanced by wildlife roadkill but do not impact songbird assemblages	Matthew Fielding
11:10	Spots or Stripes, Staccato or Shriek? Handy hints on how to become a better bird spotter.	Fiona Hume
12:00	Vanishing Point and Plastic Waste - an art/science collaboration	Katherine Cooper
12.50	What really happens at Inala as told by the ‘bird lady’ of Bruny.	Tonia Cochran
1:40	The nature writer flies high	Don Knowler
	Saturday 20th Oct
9:00	Quackipedia:What we can learn from ducks	Angela Hansen
9:30	Rehabilitating Orphaned and Injured Birds	Alison McNeice
10:00	Orange-bellied Parrot Volunteer Monitoring	Shannon Troy
10:30	Nature as Medicine- How birdsong helps beat the blues	Jane Dudley
10:50	Get em in, get em out - Raptor Refuge Rehab	Craig Webb
11:20	Sex and the Spring dawn chorus	Sarah Lloyd
12:10	Dark past, bright future - The resurgence of the Turquoise Parrot	Chris Tzaros
1:00	First Dog on The Moon	First Dog
	Sunday 21st Oct
9:00	Flat out: a year in the life of the short tailed shearwater	Natalie Bool
9:30	Cats on Bruny	Kaylene Allen
10:20	Human-Bird Relations in Art and Myth	Jay Johnston
10:50	Using humans and machines to identify bird species from environmental audio recordings	Michael Charleston and Scott Whitemore
11:40	Where, Where, Wedgie	Nick Mooney and Clare Hawkins
12:30	Bird Woman - Elizabeth Gould and the Birds of Australia	Ruth Mollison
1:20	Swift Parrot and invasive species	Andrew Hingston

4. Social & Family Events

Welcome Gathering BBQ & Festival Opening Friday 19th from 5:00pm Festival marquee, Adventure Bay Hall area Cost: $15 for great food. Licensed event - no BYO. Bookings essential Join us for the first evening of the Bird Festival and a community welcome barbeque. This is a lovely time to mill around and banter with a gathering throng of fellow bird and nature lovers. We shall begin with a ‘Welcome to Country’, followed by a brief speech to officially open the festival and welcome you all. A relaxed and informal BBQ will follow before the Orange Bellied Parrot event commences in the Adventure Bay hall Time: From 5pm for the opening, 5.30 for the BBQ and bird count, 6.30pm for the start of the film BOOK HERE
Film - "The Desperate Plight of the Orange Bellied Parrot" Filmed, produced and edited by David Neilson and Karen Alexander of Snowgum Press. Followed by a panel session. Friday 19 Oct, 6.30pm - Adventure Bay Hall This timely documentary by photographer David Neilson tells the story of this critically endangered bird and the efforts by a number of people to save this species from extinction. There are less than 50 of these beautiful small parrots living in the wild. They breed over the summer at Port Davey in South West Tasmania and then cross Bass Strait to spend the winter on the mainland coast. Filming from close quarters has enabled various aspects of the Orange-bellied Parrot’s behaviour to be shown on film for the first time. Scientists working on the recovery efforts are interviewed along with footage of their field work. The future prospects of this species so close to the edge of extinction are also canvassed. Film runs approx 1hr. Following Q & A session 30mins with David Neilson, Shannon Troy (OBP Tasmania Program) & naturalist Tonia Cochran $15 adult $10 child. BOOK HERE (Half the entry fee is kindly donated to BIEN and OBP conservation by David and Karen )
Nightly Bird Count at Adventure Bay Hall 5.30pm - Catherine Young Before each evening's event, come together as a merry group to record what birds we have all seen during the day on Bruny. Join the rapid fire Bruny Bird name shout-out led by one of our fantastic birding volunteers to mark the days tally on a giant chart. As with all such counts, what seems so straightforward can lead to pistols at dawn! So as a guideline, more than one person must have been present for a sighting to be valid. If only one person was present or a rare bird ID is contested by others, then photographic evidence will help your cause greatly! The results will be for communal enjoyment, not a scientific record.
A Great Breakfast at Great Bay Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st October. 7.30am- 8.30am Location: Eden Home Farm, 1771 Bruny Island Main Rd, Great Bay Feeling peckish? Join the flock at Eden Home Farm, for a farm style breakfast to kick of your day of birding magic. The breakfast location is the starting point for several guided walks exploring this private Great Bay bird haven (separate booking required), yet even if you are not continuing on to one of these walks, you are very welcome to make this a tasty start to your day. The breakfast is being hosted by Richard Clarke and Anna Bluck of Bruny Island Game Meats. Directions: 1771 Bruny Island Main Road, Great Bay. The entrance to the property is midway between the Bruny Island Cheese Co. and Get Shucked. Look out for the Bird festival flag and the sign to Eden Home Farm and follow the signs to the top paddock. Plenty of parking available. Cost: $15 per adult ($10 per child 12yr and under ) Booking required. BOOK HERE
Yoga Class Early bird gets the worm - and a relaxed mind and body Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st, 8:00am Gentle vinyasa yoga class with experienced and qualified yoga teacher Jo Smith. Jo will take you through a lovely & gentle class which will leave you feeling energized and loosened up ready to begin your day with the birds. Class is suitable for newbies to yoga, beginners and experienced. Location: Meet at Adventure Bay Hall (length 45min- 1hr) $10 per person, booking required BOOK HERE
Family Fun Day Saturday 20th, Adventure Bay Hall area Saturday is chock full of events suitable for the whole family. You can join a birding and nature walk and come along to a discovery workshops. Visit the Creativity Tent to take part in birdy art, science and crafting activities. Snuggle down in a bean bag in the Book Nook where local authors will be reading from their own fantastic bird themed books and where you can discover a selection of other wonderful nature themed books to read yourself Face painting, mask making, a mini birdathon ( see under Twitchathons), discovery ranger activities, scavenger hunts. We will post more detail of these and other actvities as arramgements are confimed, so stay posted.....
Book Nook Events 10am - Jennifer Cossins will read her new book A-Z of Australian Animals Jennifer is a Tasmanian artist and writer who publishes her unique illustrative work through her own company Red Parka Her work endeavours to make people smile and laugh and teach them something new while encouraging and fostering love and care for the natural world around us. A born and bred Tasmanian, Jennifer has her own store in Hobart where Red Parka has become a local institution for contemporary and original art and design. 10.30am - Sonia Strong - author and illustrator of the much loved ‘Tassie the Turbo Chook, finds her feet’ and ‘The Boobook’s Nook’ will read both her books. 11am - Artist Lois Bury and writer Kate Morton have collaborated on two previous childrens books ‘Quentin the Quoll on Bruny Island’ and ‘Little Spot on Bruny Island’ and we are thrilled that they are launching their new book ‘Susie P on Bruny Island’ at the Bird Festival, and will be reading their brand new story all about endangered Swift Parrots, followed by readings of their other stories. 12 pm - Alex Dudley uses poetry to communicate facts about the ecology and natural history of our unique Australian wildlife. His poems are entertaining, witty, memorable, and full of amazing information about the animals. His new book ‘Faunaverse - Tasmanian Wildlife in Poetry’; is to be launched in Hobart by his publishers on Sunday 21st and we are delighted that we will get a preview reading at the Festival keep posted for other fabulous happenings in the Book Nook.
BirdLife Tasmania Stall Event - 'Make a shorebird nest' Saturday 20th, 12-1pm Birdlife Tasmania Stall - Festival HQ Cost Free - No booking required - Suitable for all ages Visit the BirdLife Tasmania stall during the festival family day and make your own shorebird scrape from a combination of natural and crafting items. Shorebird expert Amanda Blakney will be present to guide participants through this fun activity. All materials provided. Hooded Plover and Pied Oystercatcher - Tiger Track stamps are also available at the stall, so don't forget your Tiger Track book.
Childrens Nature Walk with Alex Dudley author of Faunaverse Saturday 20th, 1:00 -2:00pm) - Meet at the book nook at Adventure Bay Hall Join one of the most experienced natural history interpreters in Australia for a short Nature Walk in the habitats hear the Adventure Bay Hall. Alex Dudley worked as a Discovery Ranger for Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife for 25 seasons, and in Kakadu for 8. He is a Zoologist and although his expertise is reptiles & amphibians, he is also great with Tasmanian birds. So if it slithers by, hops past or flaps overhead, he will be able to tell you all about it, and may even have a story or a poem about it up his sleeve. Free - Donations appreciated ( All ages welcome, children must be accompanied ) BOOK HERE
Hands-on show and tell: Claws, Beaks, and Wings: the weaponry of birds Saturday 20th, 3:00 -4:00pm - Venue near Adventure Bay Hall TBA Rarely do you get to see the majesty of a giant raptor up close and see the shapes, colours and textures of the feathers, the incredible size of the talons, the ferocious strength of the beak... This is a wonderful opportunity to experience an examination and dissection of a fatally electrocuted Wedge-tailed Eagle by local Vets Dr Andrew Nicholson and Dr Jacquie Bice, accompanied by an illuminating explanation from Raptor Specialist and Tasmanian legend Nick Mooney. He will explain how and why the bones and muscles of the birds move the way they do and how different species, ages and even genders of birds can have very different adaptations and specialisations. Free, Booking not required, Donations appreciated Children under the age of 10 should be accompanied and parents should note there is a bird dissection involved
Community Market & Information day. Sunday 21st, 10am - 2:30pm, Festival Marquee and surrounds, Adventure Bay Hall This Sunday Market is a highlight community event, with a wonderful selection of stalls selling a diverse array of bird and nature inspired items. A fantastic event to support local artisans, stock up on gifts for the wildlife lovers in your life and to buy unique items that are often created specifically for this event. There will also be food and drink stalls present, and a selection of stalls from various conservation and birding projects and organisations
Dog Walk - Love your dog and love the birds Saturday 20th - 3 - 4 pm, Bruny Berry Farm Yes, the Festival even has an event for your dogs. Come along to hear all about how to share our beaches with nesting shorebirds. This special BirdLife Tasmania event will include free giveaways for your pet. Afterwards why not have afternoon tea at the Berry Farm, who are running a festival special. Meet at the Bruny Berry Farm, 550 Adventure Bay Rd, Adventure Bay before a walk at nearby Two Tree Point Beach. Please bring your dog on a lead and ensure your canine friend is one who interacts well with others. Max 20. Free event Booking required for give aways. BOOK HERE
The Big Bird Quiz - with Quizmaster extraordinaire Sean Dooley, editor of Australian Birdlife magazine. Saturday 20th, 6:00pm - 8pm Venue Bruny Island Bowls Club (Adventure Bay) Quiz until 8pm, chat and music may go until later Flock to our Big Bird Quiz and join in the merriment. Sean Dooley, author, comedian, conservationist, editor of Australian BirdLife magazine and self-confessed tragic bird nerd will host this fantastic evening. Each round of the quiz has been written by a different member of the community or someone who is kindly contributing to the festival. Letting you know the topics would allow you to study ahead of time, so we are keeping them under wraps, but be reassured that we are covering a lot of diverse fields and that knowing very little about birds is no impediment to your chances of scoring well and having a great night. That said, attending a selection of the Festival lectures, walks and workshops may help you greatly with many of the topics and answers. When you book your place, tell us if you have a team already or if you would like to join other solo quiz players on the night. Cost: Adult - $15 Accompanied Child - $5 Teams: Minimum 2 people, Maximum 5 people A maximum of two Festival speaker / guide / presenters allowed per team. Terrible bird pun team name compulsory Licenced event - no BYO. Booking required. BOOK HERE
Bruny School 2019 Calendar Launch Sunday 21st - 12pm, Festival HQ / Adventure Bay Hall Join us for the launch of the 2019 Bruny School Calendar. The images in the yearly calendar are chosen from a community competition as voted on by the Bruny school children and the wider community. Often there are many lovely birds and wildlife photographs as part of the selection. At the launch of this year's calendar, each of the included photographers will receive their certificates. We decide to launch the calendar at the Bird Festival so those from further afield could join us for this lovely social and friendly element of Bruny life, help us to support the local school and take away a slice of Bruny to hang on your wall all year round. All welcome, no booking required
Departure Breakfast at Adventure Bay Hall Monday 22nd, 8:30am $10 Adult - Child free Join us for a final community breakfast at the Festival HQ. Over the course of the Bruny Bird Festival you will hopefully have made many new friendships. This breakfast is a lovely chance to swap contact details and plan future birding days out with your new like minded lovers of nature.. Many festival volunteers, speakers, and guides involved in the festival will be here if you have been hoping for a chance to catch up with someone or ask just one more question... You are welcome to bring along your own breakfast supplies for us to cook - no charge. BOOK HERE

5. Creative Arts

Festival Art Exhibition Daily: 10am -5pm, Adventure Bay Hall We are honoured once again to be exhibiting some of Tasmania’s finest artists at our Bird Festival Art Exhibition. This year the exhibition will be at Festival HQ (Adventure Bay Hall) featuring a selection of paintings, photographs and sculptures inspired by the birds of Bruny Island. Take part in the people’s choice award and choose your personal favourite. To enter your own work see separate web page - Art Exhibition. Most of the artworks will be for sale, along with a selection of cards and prints, guaranteed to please any bird enthusiast. Free entry, donations appreciated, no booking required
Art Exhibition Offical Opening by cartoonist First Dog on the Moon Saturday 20th, 2:00pm - Adventure Bay Hall Walkley award winning, Guardian cartoonist First Dog on the Moon will be officially opening the Bruny Island Bird Festival Art Exhibition. First Dog has championed many Australian conservation projects including bringing attention to the plight of the Swift Parrot and the Orange Bellied Parrots and has done so with joyful marsupial art, satirical humour and heart breaking pathos. Having recently moved South and become a Tasmanian, we are so delighted to have First Dog as part of our festival. Some of his fantastic and hilarious bird-themed artwork will be on display at the Art Exhibition and he shall be officially opening the Exhibition after he has presented a short lecture as part of the speaker series. We are hoping that Brenda the Civil Disobedience Penguin may also be able to join us, but she may have multiple rallies to attend that day. Join us for the opening, meet the man behind the dog, enjoy the wonderful selection of Tasmanian artworks on display and partake of some delicious drinks and nibbles provided by festival sponsors Hotel Bruny and Bruny Cider. Free, Donations appreciated, bookings requested BOOK HERE
Artist in Residence - Katherine Cooper Friday 19th, Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st, 9:30am - 4:00pm International award-winning nature artist and passionate environmentalist Katherine Cooper will be Artist-in-residence throughout the festival. Watch as she creates a wildlife painting live and if she isn't too absorbed in her work, you can ask her questions about her work and her craft. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet one of Tasmania's leading artists and watch the magic happen. On the walls around the building of Festival sponsor Bruny Cruises, you can see other examples of her beautiful and atmospheric work. Free, Donations appreciated, bookings not required
Off with the birds - A weaving of Poetry and Music by Gina Mercer and Lynne Griffiths Friday 19th October, 2pm - 3pm Cost: Adult - $20, Child 12yr and under $10 Words and notes ripple off each other to create a resonant and immersive meditation on the diverse birds who enliven, haunt, and accompany our lives in this collaborative performance. The lyrical and sensual poetry of Gina Mercer is interwoven with the evocative flutes and harp of Lynne Griffiths. Dennes Point Memorial Hall, 18 Bruny Island Main Rd, Dennes Point. BOOK HERE
Printmaking workshop with Rhyll Plant, Sunday 21st Two sessions: 9.30am - 12.00, 1:00pm - 3:30pm Workshop cost $50 for one session - max 6 participants per session. Adults only (15yr and over). Rhyll Plant is passionate about printmaking and the art of natural science. Researching for a visual arts master’s degree based on her career as a scientific illustrator included exploring traditional methods of printing directly from specimens. Much experimenting over many delightful hours in her studio has led Rhyll to devise new techniques of creating unique images on paper by printing from inked delicate grasses and even fluffy feathers. Rhyll runs entertaining workshops to share her ideas and all you need to bring is enthusiasm. What better souvenir from Bruny Island, than printing a bird’s nest, eggs and all! All materials + Tea and coffee provided Bring along a selection of flattened dried leaves, plants, feathers etc. to use for printing. (Some will be available if you have none of your own) Bring an apron if you wish and don't wear your very best clothes in case of ink smudges. Booking essential. Limited Numbers BOOK HERE
Gatepost Bird Sculptures All days, Island wide Be sure to watch out for the artful and whimsical creations adorning islander's gateposts. Collect a map at the Festival HQ in Adventure Bay Hall. Why not join in the fun and create your own. Workshops at the Bruny Men's Shed in August. Entries close Friday 28 September. See separate web page for entry details - Gatepost sculptues. Your fantastic creation in the competiton will be judged prior to the event and winners announced at the Community Market.

6. Twitchathons

Bruny Island Birdathon 12 hrs long between 5am to 5pm - Organiser Karen Dick Saturday 20th, 5.00am - 5pm The Bruny Island Birdathon is your chance to challenge yourself to how many of the 150 + Bruny Species you can see in one 12 hr period. A very enjoyable way to experience the birdlife with your friends with a healthy frisson of competition. A clear set of guidelines will be provided once you sign up and you can communicate directly with the organiser for any questions you may have, however this is at its heart a community event and intended to be enjoyable and inclusive. If you are planning on taking part in the BirdLife Tasmanian Twitchathon in the week following the Bruny Bird Festival, this could be your warm up event to stretch your wings. Min team size 2 max team size 6 Entry cost - $40 per team Prizes to be won. Sign up online and then check in and pick up your information pack on Friday 19th at Adventure Bay Hall so you can begin in any location you like to begin the next morning. Entries will close on the 12th of October. ENTER HERE
Family Birding Bimble Saturday 20th - any three hours between 5:00am and 5:00pm A maximum of three hours between 5am and 5pm, all sightings to be made from within 10m of a piece of play equipment! We all know birding with children can be challenging, but by no means impossible. The Bruny Island Family Birding Bimble is your chance to challenge yourself and your family to how many Bruny bird you can see in one 3 hr period while within a 10 vicinity of play equipment on the island. A very enjoyable way to experience the birdlife with your family whilst enjoying the play parks of the island. A clear set of guidelines will be provided once you sign up and you can communicate directly with the organiser for any questions you may have, however this is at its heart a community event and intended to be enjoyable and inclusive. If you are planning on taking part in the BirdLife Tasmanian Twitchathon in the week following the Bruny Bird Festival, this could be your warm up event to stretch your wings. Min team size 2; Max team size - one family Entry cost - $20 per team Prizes to be won. Sign up online and then check in and pick up your information pack on Friday 19th October at Adventure Bay Hall so you can begin in any location you like to begin the next morning. (Or you can check in on the Saturday from 9am if you do not plan on starting your 3hrs of bimbling earlier than 9am ) Entries will close on the 12th of October ENTER HERE

7. Evening Events

FRIDAY NIGHT Film - "The Desperate Plight of the Orange Bellied Parrot" Filmed, produced and edited by David Neilson and Karen Alexander of Snowgum Press. Followed by a panel session. Friday 19 Oct, 6.30pm - Adventure Bay Hall This timely documentary by photographer David Neilson tells the story of this critically endangered bird and the efforts by a number of people to save this species from extinction. There are less than 50 of these beautiful small parrots living in the wild. They breed over the summer at Port Davey in South West Tasmania and then cross Bass Strait to spend the winter on the mainland coast. Filming from close quarters has enabled various aspects of the Orange-bellied Parrot’s behaviour to be shown on film for the first time. Scientists working on the recovery efforts are interviewed along with footage of their field work. The future prospects of this species so close to the edge of extinction are also canvassed. Film runs approx 1hr. Following Q & A session 30mins with David Neilson, Shannon Troy (OBP Tasmania Program) & naturalist Tonia Cochran $15 adult $10 child. BOOK HERE (Half the entry fee is kindly donated to BIEN and OBP conservation by David and Karen )
SATURDAY NIGHT The Big Bird Quiz - with Quizmaster extraordinaire Sean Dooley, editor of Australian Birdlife magazine. Saturday 20th, 6:00pm - 8pm Venue Bruny Island Bowls Club (Adventure Bay) Quiz until 8pm, chat and music may go until later Flock to our Big Bird Quiz and join in the merriment. Sean Dooley, author, comedian, conservationist, editor of Australian BirdLife magazine and self-confessed tragic bird nerd will host this fantastic evening. Each round of the quiz has been written by a different member of the community or someone who is kindly contributing to the festival. Letting you know the topics would allow you to study ahead of time, so we are keeping them under wraps, but be reassured that we are covering a lot of diverse fields and that knowing very little about birds is no impediment to your chances of scoring well and having a great night. That said, attending a selection of the Festival lectures, walks and workshops may help you greatly with many of the topics and answers. When you book your place, tell us if you have a team already or if you would like to join other solo quiz players on the night. Cost: Adult - $15 Accompanied Child - $5 Teams: Minimum 2 people, Maximum 5 people A maximum of two Festival speaker / guide / presenters allowed per team. Terrible bird pun team name compulsory Licenced event - no BYO. Booking required. BOOK HERE
SUNDAY NIGHT Louise Crossley Memorial Lecture - Dr Bob Brown Sunday 21st Oct, 6.30pm - Adventure Bay Hall A very special event to honour the enormous contributions Louise made to many environmental issues but in particular towards the protection of the Swift Parrot on Bruny Island. Bob Brown needs no introduction. He is a leading figure in many conservation action campaigns around Australia. Like Louise he has always been a passionate and generous supporter of the Bruny Island environment and the Bird Festival. Bob had a close collaborative and personal relationship with Louise Crossley and graciously accepted the invitation to speak for her memorial lecture. The lecture will include audio visual elements and will be on the topic of Apathy, arrogance and armageddon, an intriguing title… In complement to the lecture, there will also be beautiful live music. Drinks and nibbles by festival sponsor Hotel Bruny & Bruny Cider. Entry: $25 adult, $20 concession $10 child 8-14 Max 50 - Booking required. Proceeds from the evening will be dedicated to Swift Parrot conservation. BOOK HERE

1. Birdwatching Tours

Birding Bruny Island - Day Tour

Bruny Island Seabird Cruise

Penguin & Shearwater Colony Tour

Pre & Post Festival Tours