The Bruny Island Bird Festival – a celebration of birdlife and nature – has become a joyful and well loved Australian birding event.
The festival was first held in 2010 as a community celebration of the remarkable diversity of birdlife on the island. The three day festival is jointly presented by the Bruny Island Environment Network, BirdLife Tasmania and Inala Nature Tours, drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience of experts in these groups to provide both an engaging and educative immersion in the natural delights of Bruny.
Held every two years, the festival has become a much anticipated event by the community and visitors alike. Each iteration brings new features and long-term favourites. In 2022, the festival will continue to build on the four key elements of community, conservation, science and creativity to further involve the people of Bruny and Tasmania in the many tours, walks, workshops, lecturers, markets and cultural celebrations that are the festival.
WALKS
Diverse birding walks all around beautiful Bruny Island being expertly guided by Dr Sally Bryant, Eric Woehler, Dr Catherine Young, Karen Dick, Dr Andrew Hingston, Paul Brooks and Ramit Singal
TOURS
Birding day tours and property tours run by Inala Nature Tours, one of the partners of the festival. Each tour led by a specialist Inala bird guide and including time amongst the incredible birding habitat of the Inala Nature Reserve.
SPEAKERS
The lectures are a core feature of the Bird Festival and the topics cover an incredible breadth of subjects across the birding world. We are once again showcasing a remarkable collection of knowledge and passion from Tasmanian scientists, photographers, rangers, journalists, guides, academics, students and environmental champions.
EVENING EVENTS
Saturday Night – Life on Land’s Edge | A musical odyssey to the ends of the earth and back – The Bowerbird Collective | Simone Slattery, violin & Anthony Albrecht, cello.
Life on Land’s Edge draws on art, science, and music from across the ages. Spectacular footage and soundscapes set the scene for two of Australia’s most adventurous musicians.
Sunday Night – An evening with two artists, comics and national treasures (who also quite like birds) First Dog On The Moon and Jon Kudelka in conversation.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
A welcome meal on Friday night is a lovely time to mill around and banter with fellow bird and nature lovers.
A bird and nature themed market at Lunawanna Hall full of fabulous produce, merchandise and information.
A Parks & Wildlife discovery ranger will be involved in the festival over the three days providing interpretation.
The community favourite Gatepost Bird Sculpture competition where islanders create bird themed sculptures out of recycled and upcycled materials and display them for the festival goers to view at their gatepost.
ART EVENTS
A wonderful Art Exhibition at Dennes Point featuring Bird themed art from Tasmanian artists and a display of bird art from the Bruny Island Primary School. Artist in Residence throughout the festival is Lois Bury.
A Nature Journaling workshop with Jay Johnston.
A Print Workshop with Rhyll Plant.
A quirky and fun Bird Beanie Competition with a beanie to be knitted, sewn, felted or crochet inspired by a bird theme – we are still keen for more entries.
Social media – you can stay in touch with the festival via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Featured image above courtesy Chris Tzaros.
