The group celebrated its 20^th birthday late last week with an evening at the Hilton Street bridge club.

Mr Terrill said the birdwatchers “enjoyed a meal and great company”. 

”Over 40 past and present members, including original members who joined in our foundation year 1998, were in attendance,” he said.

“Joan Dunne and Eric Fair, both life members, gave a presentation on the history and achievements of Tamworth Birdwatchers, as well as some highlights from our birdwatching activities over the years.

“The anniversary cake was cut by Jack Peattie who, together with Geoff Mitchel, came up with the idea for the establishment of a bird watching group in Tamworth.”

Mr Terrill said one of the benefits of birdwatching was that it “opens your eye up to a number of different species of birds you don’t appreciate are there”.

“A lot of the birds you see, you suddenly realise they may look similar but are quite different when you look at them through binoculars,” he said.

“The other thing is you tend to make friendships out of it; you enjoy the company of other birdwatchers. 

“There are some birdwatchers who really like to try and see as many bird species as they can, and go quickly from seeing one to seeing another species.

“But for most of us it’s getting outdoors, having a leisurely stroll through the countryside and bush, looking at birds and appreciating the habitat they’re in – but there is always excitement when you come across a rare or unusual bird sighting.

“For example, we had a bird walk – this is going back, I think, to last August – where saw a swift parrot.

“The bird walk had been really enjoyable and after we came across that, it topped the day off.

“It’s quite exciting when you see something as rare and endangered as the swift parrot; it’s not Australia’s most endangered bird, but it’s probably the second most endangered...

“While our principal focus is the enjoyment of bird watching, our proudest achievements have been the advocacy for native birds and habitat preservation, as well as the development of bird routes and bird walks throughout this region.”