Keen birdwatchers, Russ and his wife, Jenny lived in Barraba in the 1990s. They wanted to provide a guide to places where other birdwatchers would have the opportunity to find a variety of local birds. The birds included the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater which was known to breed in the area. The Barraba Shire Council supported the idea and produced the first “Bird Routes of the Barraba District” brochure during this decade. This brochure provided route maps to good birding sites, plus lists of bird species which may be seen there. Signage was also provided to facilitate the finding of these places.

These were the first of many bird routes established in the now Tamworth Regional Council area. Bird route brochures have become a significant part of regional tourism across Australia and a valuable tool in bird conservation. The number of recognised bird routes grows as local councils and tourism authorities recognise their value in attracting many visitors, even from overseas, to enjoy the wonderful variety of our Australian birds.

Members of Tamworth Birdwatchers Inc. have continued to adapt and promote Russ and Jenny’s concept. Our ‘Tamworth Regional Bird Routes’ brochure is now part of Destination Tamworth’s suite of tourism brochures which are sponsored by Tamworth Regional Council.