With the weather warming up and the days stretching out, October is prime time to step into the backyard and see what’s buzzing, fluttering and flying around. Whether you are a dedicated nature lover or just looking for an excuse to step away from your screen, there are three fantastic national citizen science programs that need your help.
Here is how you can get involved and champion Australia’s incredible biodiversity this month.
Crown the Australian Insect of the Year
The polls are officially open to choose the nation’s favorite small wonder. Run by the ABC in partnership with insect conservation groups, the Australian Insect of the Year is an annual celebration of the tiny creatures that keep our ecosystems running.
This year’s shortlist is a quirky lineup of six spectacular finalists:
- Two beautifully distinct butterflies
- A pair of undeniably cute beetles
- The iconic, bioluminescent Otway glow-worm
- A “super-fly guy” boasting eyes on stalks
Scutter or flutter, who wins your vote? Read up on the candidates and cast your ballot before the poll closes.
Track the Great Bogong Moth Pilgrimage
If you’re in New South Wales, you might have noticed a sudden influx of uninvited evening guests. Swarms of Bogong moths are currently making their epic, annual pilgrimage toward the Snowy Mountains.
Invertebrates Australia is urging anyone who spots a Bogong moth to become a citizen scientist and log their sightings online. Your data helps scientists track their migration routes and population health.
Researchers speculate that a perfect storm of increased rainfall, a warmer winter, and strong northerly winds has triggered this dramatic surge in sightings. While a swarm might seem intimidating, these moths are actually an endangered species and a vital food source for alpine wildlife like the Mountain Pygmy-possum.
Join the Aussie Bird Count (19 – 25 October 2026)
Take a breather, grab a cuppa, and look up. The Aussie Bird Count is returning later this month, offering a fun and incredibly easy way to connect with nature while gathering vital conservation data.
All it takes is 20 minutes to sit in your garden, a local park, or even on your balcony, and tally the birds you see. This national snapshot helps researchers build a clear picture of how our feathered friends are faring across the country. With one in six Australian birds currently facing the threat of extinction, paying attention to our local flocks has never been more important.
Mark your calendars for mid-October and get ready to make your 20 minutes count.
Our wildlife is putting on a show this spring. Whether you’re voting for a stalk-eyed fly, logging a moth on its mountain migration, or counting the cockatoos in your local park, you are making a real difference for Australian conservation. Get out there and start exploring!
