BirdLife Australia Seabird Survey Cook Island

Cook Island isn't just a marine reserve — it's one of the most important seabird nesting sites on the Northern NSW coast. Although small, it provides a protected refuge for 25 recorded seabird species, including threatened and migratory birds whose journeys span thousands of kilometres.

This October, Green Heroes is joining BirdLife Australia's Aussie Bird Count — but we're taking our count to the water.

Join us aboard a boat expedition as we circumnavigate Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, searching for the seabirds that call this remarkable place home. From resident terns and cormorants to migratory shearwaters and other ocean travellers, every sighting contributes to a national citizen science project and our growing Cook Island Ecology Project & Digital Atlas.

This expedition also offers a rare opportunity to experience the lesser-seen sides of Cook Island and Marys Rock, with spectacular views that few people get to experience from the water.

• Cruise through the mangroves of the Tweed River, spotting waterbirds and other coastal species before heading out into the open ocean.
• Circumnavigate Cook Island Aquatic Reserve by boat.
• Complete a dedicated 20-minute seabird survey, recording species and numbers.
• Photograph birds to support biodiversity monitoring and long-term research.
• Contribute observations to BirdLife Australia's Aussie Bird Count and the Cook Island Ecology Project.

After the survey, we'll return to Salt & Stone Café to share our sightings, compare notes over a coffee, and celebrate the morning with a few fun Seabird Awards for some memorable discoveries.

Whether you're an experienced birder or simply curious about the wildlife beyond the shoreline, this is a chance to contribute to real conservation while experiencing one of Australia's most remarkable coastal reserves from a unique perspective.

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Refillable water bottle
• Weather-appropriate clothing (including a spray jacket if needed)
• Enclosed shoes
• Binoculars or a camera (if you have them)

• Survey guidance
• Bird identification resources
• Support with recording observations
• A few fun Seabird Awards to finish the morning!