Shorebird Celebrations
Moreton Bay springs to vibrant life as thousands of migratory shorebirds complete their awe-inspiring journey along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, returning to Moreton Bay.
Welcome back Waders
Where:
Macleay Island
Date:
Saturday 24th October ’26
Time:
2:30pm–4:30pm
Host:
SMBI – Southern Moreton Bay Marine Watch & MIAC
Island friends, you are warmly invited to a joyous afternoon to celebrate our annual visitors – the migratory shorebirds!
An educational talk on shorebirds from the Coast Care Group
Live music from Brett Kelly and Band
A children’s book reading by Shannon Morton
A photography exhibition from Rachelle Patterson and others
A poetry workshop by Susan and Stewart Sommerlad
Beautiful shorebird merchandise from designer Lynn Priestly
Children’s craft by Eat Art Play
And more!!
Migratory Bird Welcome Day
Where:
Osprey House, Griffin
Date:
Saturday 17th October ’26
Time:
9am-3pm
Host:
City of Moreton Bay and Qld Wader Study Group
Celebrate the return of our migratory birds after their long journey south! See flocks of shorebirds return from Arctic breeding grounds to the warmer waters at Osprey House.
Welcome Bay Shorebirds
Where:
Deception Bay
Date:
Sunday 4th October ’26
Time:
7:30am–11am
Host:
REF – Redcliffe Environmental Forum
Celebrate the return of our migratory waders from the Northern Hemisphere.
Learn about their ecology and lives in the Bay as well as participate in a guided walk with experienced birders where you can observe these amazing birds going about their daily lives along the Deception Bay foreshore.
Guided Walk, followed by a visit to the Deception Bay Environmental Hub for some morning tea and presentations.
Aussie Bird Count
Where:
Across the Bay
Date:
19-25 October '26
Time:
Anytime!
Host:
Birdlife Australia
Join BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count and help build a national snapshot of our birdlife. Choose a favourite spot around Moreton Bay—a wetland, a foreshore, or a mangrove boardwalk spend 20 minutes in one place recording the species you see and how many of each.
Submit your count through the free Aussie Bird Count app or online.
Experienced birders and beginners are welcome, and you can count as often as you like during the week.
Grab your binoculars and help make Moreton Bay count!!
Wings Over the World
Where:
Bribie Island
Date:
Saturday 10th October ’26
Time:
9am - 11am
Host:
BIEPA - Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association
Experience a world-class avian spectacle firsthand at Kakadu Beach Roost during the morning high tide!
Knowledgeable experts and friendly volunteers will be on hand with spotting scopes and binoculars to help you spot these globetrotting birds up close. With live stream footage broadcast directly from a roost camera and interactive children’s activities on offer, it’s an unforgettable, family-friendly wildlife adventure that shows why Bribie Island and Pumicestone Passage is an indispensable stop on the global flyway.
Toondah–the Art of Conservation
Where:
Cleveland
Date:
Sat 3rd–Sunday 4th Oct ’26
Time:
12pm–5pm Saturday; 9am–3:30pm Sunday
Host:
Redlands 2030
Celebrating the many artists’ whose contributions supported the successful Save Toondah community campaign.
An extraordinary collection of artworks created during the 10-year campaign to save Toondah Harbour will come together for the first time, as the community celebrates the creativity and determination that helped save the internationally significant Ramsar wetlands from a proposed large-scale development.
Flyways - The Movie
Where:
Bribie Island Cinema
Date:
Sunday 18th October ’26
Time:
4:45pm
Host:
BIEPA – Bribie Island Environmental Protection Assn and Birdlife Southern Qld
There are few creatures on earth more inspiring, more symbolic than birds. Each year, millions of shorebirds follow ancient flyways moving from the south of the planet to the north and back again.
Shorebirds remain an untold story. What routes do the birds take? How do they navigate such mind-boggling distances? How are they able to stay aloft for days without stopping to refuel?
Seeking to answer these and other questions, Flyways revels the beauty and wonder of migratory shorebirds.
World Shorebird Day
Where:
Coochiemudlo Island
Date:
Thursday 8th October ’26
Time:
10am–1pm
Host:
Conservation Volunteers Australia and Coochimudlo Island Coastcare
Join a fun morning exploring the island’s wetlands and learning about our incredible shorebirds.
Hear from local bird expert Frank Burch from Birds Queensland and the Queensland Wader Study Group, then head out for a birdwatching walk with telescopes and equipment provided.
Whether you’re a keen birder or simply love wildlife and nature, everyone is welcome, pre-registration is essential.
Welcome the Shorebirds
Where:
Golden Beach Caloundra
Date:
Saturday 26th September ’26
Time:
8-11am
Host:
Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Join a fun morning exploring the island’s wetlands and learning about our incredible shorebirds.
Hear from local bird expert Frank Burch from Birds Queensland and the Queensland Wader Study Group, then head out for a birdwatching walk with telescopes and equipment provided.
Whether you’re a keen birder or simply love wildlife and nature, everyone is welcome, pre-registration is essential.