The Single Sessions
Bring your family and friends. The Single Sessions will give them plenty to do from creative workshops to book club meetings, birding for beginners, indigenous experiences, and on Saturday, choose a family friendly Bird Bingo evening or test your knowledge at Bird Trivia with Sean Dooley. There's a mix of free and paid sessions, but everything on Friday is free. Create your own personal Festival program. One session or as many as you can fit in! You can also book a Birder's Pass and add single sessions on Friday, and a Saturday evening event to complete your personal Festival plan. Check the Program Schedule to plan your Festival experience, it's your guide to choosing sessions without finding you need to be in two places at once! All the single sessions are described below. The descriptions for sessions which are scheduled more than once, appear in the list of descriptions on the first day they are scheduled. Take a look, you're sure to find something you want to do.
Friday Sessions
All sessions on Friday are free.
The Joy of Birdwatching for Beginners
Glen Alice Hall - Friday 2.30 - 3.30pm A ticket is required for this FREE session. This session is designed for raw beginners, those who want to take up birdwatching or want to better understand why their partner or friend seems so obsessive about looking at wild birds. We'll talk about the tools birders use to identify bird species and know where to find them - using bird books, smartphone apps, binoculars, telescopes, cameras and the experience of other people who also like to look at wild birds. We'll also talk about why birders want to be better bird listeners than bird watchers, what birders mean when they embark on their own "Big Year", why the term "bird brained" is an oxymoron, what ethical rubrics birders apply and how amateur bird surveying can be used as a powerful tool for bird conservation. By the time we finish with this session, you'll have trouble not being obsessive about birds yourself. A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION Children must be accompanied by an adult
Welcome to Country
Glen Davis Hall - Friday 4 -5.30pm Please book a ticket for this FREE session. Be welcomed to Dabee/Wiradjuri Country by traditional custodians. Immerse yourself in Wiradjuri culture through songs in language and join in local dances. Experience a smoking ceremony and learn some bird names in Wiradjuri language. A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION
The Bird Photography Exhibition
Multiple sessions, during Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please book a ticket for this FREE session which you may use at any of the Bird Photography Exhibition sessions. When other sessions are using the venue, the ticket for those sessions is required. This exhibition celebrates the diversity of birdlife in the Capertee Valley through the photography of local, Sue Harvey. A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION
Capertee River Regents – Identification and Field Survey
Capertee National Park - Friday 1 - 3.30pm A ticket is required for this FREE session. Regent Honeyeaters nest in Capertee National Park and feed off Needle-leaf Mistletoe – two species we need your help to find! Join Local Land Services and BirdLife Australia in being shown how to identify Regent Honeyeaters, their habitat and how to record your observations in the Birdata app. This workshop will involve a visual training component, and an outside habitat walk. Please bring binoculars, your best camera, suitable outdoor clothing/enclosed footwear, food/water and a smartphone/tablet for recording sightings. This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Central Tablelands and Hunter Local Land Services, members of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
"Happy Feet"
Glen Alice Hall - Friday 5.30 - 8.30pm A ticket is required for this FREE session. Food will be for sale at this session. Enjoy a lighthearted evening with a screening of George Miller's BAFTA and Academy Award winning animated musical "Happy Feet" Deep in Antarctica if you are an Emperor Penguin, you are nobody if you can't sing, and Mumble is the worst singer in the world... But he can tap dance! Voices behind the characters include Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, Miriam Margolyes, Nicole Kidman, Magda Szubanski, and Steve Irwin. A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION
Bird Photography Exhibition Official Opening
Glen Davis - Friday 5.30pm - 8.30pm A ticket is required for this FREE session. Food will be for sale at this session. This exhibition celebrates many years of bird photography by Sue Harvey. She has captured wonderful bird photos from her makeshift hide at her home on the slopes of Mt Genowlan. Sue shares her work on Facebook and more recently in print. This exhibition brings together a sample of her works to help us celebrate the diversity of birdlife in the Capertee Valley.
Saturday Sessions
Where a description includes 'Multiple sessions', it may have sessions on this day and the following day. Please refer to the Festival Schedule for all session times.
Southern Cross Kayaking - Guided Kayak Tours
Gangaddy within the Wollemi National Park - Saturday 10-11.30am/1 -3.30pm Sunday 8.30 - 10am A guided exploration of the Cudgegong River by kayak, upstream of Ganguddy Campground in the Wollemi National Park led by long term local guides experienced in paddling in the area and knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, including bird life and nesting spots in the area. The tour will be conducted at a relaxed pace, with the itinerary flexible to allow time to stop and view or take photographs on the way. Included in the tour: use of a stable double sea kayak and all related equipment. Safety briefing, orientation and paddle instruction prior to departure. Use of dry bags for carrying cameras, binoculars etc. Participants should wear appropriate clothing to protect from the elements. Tour is conducted within a remote National Park, there is no access to sanitation products, running water or rubbish collection. Participants should bring their own sanitation products and drinking water, and remove any rubbish when they leave. Rain showers on the day of the tour will not necessarily result in cancellation, in fact some of our most memorable and enjoyable paddles have been in showery conditions. If rain is forecast, participants should bring a spray jacket. Conditions of high wind or electrical storms may prompt cancellation or postponement of the tour. The safety and enjoyment of the group will always be the deciding factor. If we can be provided contact details for participants, we will try to contact them as soon as possible prior to the scheduled start time if weather conditions dictate any changes. The Guided Kayak Tour at Ganguddy is suitable for participants of average fitness and appreciation of quiet observance practices. $98 per person SUITABLE FOR AGES 12+
Wirimbili Cultural Experience
Coorongooba Campground - Saturday 10 -11.30am Connect to the ancient beauty of Dabee/Wiradjuri Country. Our expert guides will share their culture and create special moments to enrich your visit to the Capertee Valley. Learn about local resources, song and bush tucker. Held at Coorongooba, meet at the campground. Covered shoes required. Some walking involved. All ages welcome. $53 Adults $23 Children A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION
Regent Reconnaissance – a Capertee River Birdwalk
Capertee National Park - Saturday 7-10am Please book a FREE ticket for this session. Join Local Land Services and BirdLife Australia by the river in Capertee National Park – a breeding area for Regent Honeyeaters and a hotspot for many other species. We’ll be led along the river and learn about what thrives in this habitat and how to ethically birdwatch during breeding seasons. Please bring binoculars, your best camera, suitable outdoor clothing/enclosed footwear and food/water. This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Central Tablelands and Hunter Local Land Services, members of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
The Magpie Walk for Kids and their Carers
From The Paddock - Saturday 10.30 -11.30am/ 1.30 - 2.30pm Sunday 10.30 -11.30am Multiple sessions, please book a FREE ticket for the session you want to attend. Judy Harrington and the BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre Volunteers Come on “the Magpie walk” with us. We can’t fly but we can walk, watch and learn about how birds fly and move about. Starting from the Hay Shed at the From the Paddock Café, this guided bird walk especially for kids will take them and their carers around the surrounding property and adjacent bush to learn how to quietly watch birds without disturbing them. We’ll spot common local birds and learn how birds move, how they find food and how they stay safe. A CHILDREN'S SESSION Children must be accompanied, please book a Supporter's ticket - parent or guardian
Flight and Feathers - The Wonder of Flying Birds
From The Paddock - Saturday 9 - 10.30am/ 12.30 - 1.30pm/ 3.30 - 4.30pm Sunday 9 - 10.30am/ 12.30-1.30pm Multiple sessions, please book a FREE ticket for the session you want to attend. Judy Harrington and the BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre Volunteers Designed especially for children, we will explore how bird wings work and how we can help protect the birds around us. It will reveal the extraordinary features of bird bones and feathers, learn amazing facts about different types of bird flights, about fast fliers, slow fliers and no fliers! Kids will also be able to draw a bird, make a simple paper plane, a flying fish or a kite to take home. A CHILDREN'S SESSION Children must be accompanied, please book a Supporter's ticket - parent or guardian
Spark Birds
From The Paddock - Saturday 9 -10.30am Mixed Media - Australian Bird - Drawing Workshop run by local Wiradjuri artist Jessica Leffley aka Bird Girl Creations. Each participant will complete a unique portrait of their “spark” bird. All ages welcome, children to be accompanied by parents. All materials provided. $58 Adult or Child A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION Children must be accompanied, please book a Supporter's ticket - parent or guardian if you are accompanying a child and not participating in this session.
Dhandaa Woven Creations
From The Paddock - Saturday 1-2pm Join Wiradjuri artist, Renee Ford, to learn traditional weaving techniques and gain insight into Wiradjuri culture. You will learn the basics of coil weaving using natural fibres. Building from this ancient skill, you may continue to make a basket, earrings, coasters or a wall hanging. Decorate your item by using colourful raffia or attach gumnuts. All materials supplied. No experience necessary. $48 Adult or Child A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION Children must be accompanied, please book a Supporter's ticket - parent or guardian if you are accompanying a child and not participating in this session.
Songlark Studio
From The Paddock - Saturday 2.30-3.30pm Join local artist, Leanne Wicks, for a hands-on natural dyeing workshop exploring the shapes and colours of leaves. In this creative session, you'll learn how to use leaves to eco print onto fabric. As we use natural fibres, we'll also deepen our awareness of the plants that live with us. You will leave with your textile artwork and a little bit of Dabee/Wiradjuri Country beauty. All materials supplied. $48 Adult or Child A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION Children must be accompanied, please book a Supporter's ticket - parent or guardian if you are accompanying a child and not participating in this session.
Book Reading for Children
From The Paddock - Saturday 11.30am - 12.30pm Please book tickets for this FREE session Local Wiradjuri artist and author Jess Leffley reads her book "I is for Ibis - An A to Z of Australian Birds" A CHILDREN'S SESSION Children must be accompanied, please book a Supporter's ticket - parent or guardian
Book club - Storm Boy
From The Paddock - Saturday 10.30-11.30am Please book a ticket for this FREE session. Comie together with others to read, share, talk and maybe find something you didn't see in Storm Boy. Grab a coffee, maybe some cake and soak in the Capertee Valley views while you chat about Storm Boy, both the book and the film.
Bird trivia and dinner with Sean Dooley
Glen Alice Hall - Saturday 5.30 - 8.30pm Your Quiz Master, Sean Dooley is the Birdman. He was the national birdwatching champion, holding the record for seeing the most birds seen in one year. You might recognise Sean as he was occasionally an extra in shows such as Full Frontal and Comedy Inc. Now he bobs up every now and then talking birds on ABC News 24 or other media as he is National Public Affairs Manager at Birdlife Australia. Join us for an entertaining evening over a good meal, and put your bird knowledge to the test. Adults $50 Children 12 years and under $25
Bird Bingo and dinner
Glen Davis Hall - Saturday 5.30 - 8.30pm Enjoy a good meal and a game which anyone can win! With photos from local bird photographer, Sue Harvey, and a caller. Match the calls to your card and shout Bingo! An evening of fun for bird nerds, family and friends. Adults $50 Children 12 years and under $25 A CHILD FRIENDLY SESSION
Sunday Sessions
Book club - Mr and Mrs Gould by Grantlee Kieza
From the Paddock - Sunday 10.30 - 11.30am Please book a FREE ticket for this session. John and Elizabeth Gould arrived in Australia in 1838 and spent more than a year drawing, collecting and writing about the birds they found. Join us to to share your thoughts about this rollicking story of this couple, their work and the incredible array of Australian birds and wildlife that astonished the world.
Closing Concert - Where Song Began | A cinematic concert celebrating Australia's birds
Glen Alice Hall, Sunday 12.30 -1.45pm
The Bowerbird Collective perform, Where Song Began is a celebration of songbirds. Described as "spectacular" by Limelight Magazine in a 5-star review, the 50-minute program includes music spanning 300 years, from Johann Heinrich Schmelzer and J.S. Bach to Arvo Pärt and new commissions, enhanced by a film of evocative visual projections and an immersive soundscape.
"A delicate and beautiful fusion"
"Like being sung to by the country"
About the performers:
The Bowerbird Collective makes art for nature. Their work has received international acclaim, and their ARIA-nominated albums of threatened bird, frog and mammal calls, 'Songs of Disappearance', reached the top of the ARIA Album Charts ahead of Adele, ABBA and Ed Sheeran. Violinist Simone Slattery was a 2019 Churchill Fellow, received a PhD in Music Performance from the University of Adelaide and performs regularly with Australia's finest ensembles. Cellist Anthony Albrecht was Australia's first graduate of The Juilliard School's Historical Performance program and enjoys an international performance career.
For more information visit www.bowerbirdcollective.org
Adults $40 (or pay what you can)
Children 18 & under $5
BYO and join us to close the Festival on a high note.
