Curlew Homecoming Festival

In partnership with the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre and the Bundeena Progress Association, BirdLife Southern NSW is proud to be organising the inaugural annual Curlew Homecoming festival.

Have your family or friends actually seen a Critically Endangered Far Eastern Curlew? At this festival, you'll have a near-certain chance of seeing one.

After their amazing migratory journeys back from the Arctic, the festival on World Migratory Bird Day will celebrate the return of Far Eastern Curlews and other shorebirds that make Port Hacking their home.

This festival offers something for everyone. You can join any of the events on the day, free of charge. Key features of our program are:

• 8 am to 10 am at Maianbar: Observing Far Eastern Curlews feeding near Deeban Spit - park your car at the Maianbar car park and follow the BirdLife banners to our pop-up observation post with guides and birding scopes.

• 9:30 am to 2 pm at Bundeena: Kids’ activities inspired by shorebirds and guided by BirdLife educators - including creating artwork, book reading and a display of recent artwork by local school students.

• 10.30 am to 3.30 pm at Bonnie Vale: Observing Far Eastern Curlews roosting on Deeban Spit from Bonnie Vale Campground - from the campground boom gate entrance, follow the BirdLife banners to our pop-up observation post by the water.

• 12.30 pm: Informal official opening.

• 1 pm to 2:30 pm: Expert presentations, with Q&A - 
  What are the shorebirds of Port Hacking and why do they live here each summer? 
  What is the new National Far Eastern Curlew Recovery Plan and why is it necessary?
  What is BirdLife Southern NSW doing to help shorebirds locally and how can we all help?

• 2 pm: Screening of short documentary, Wing Threads, with the star, Milly Formby, online from WA for a Q&A. Suitable for kids.

• Food and coffee will be available at the Bundeena Community Centre from 9:30 am to 2 pm.

• Displays on shorebird ecology and the global threats they face, with BirdLife volunteers on hand to answer questions.

• Videos of the shorebirds of Port Hacking.

See the program in detail here: Festival Program.

Entry to all events is FREE! There is no need to book a ticket.

Enquiries: Contact us by email at southernnsw@birdlife.org.au