Groups from Lower Eyre Peninsula are joining together to host events in Coffin Bay for the SA Nature Festival which runs from October 1-15 and has the “The Nature of Home”. They want to celebrate the wonders of nature around Coffin Bay by getting people out to experience art, photography, multimedia displays and walks in nature to learn a little more about the nature around our homes.

The Coffin Bay events are focused around Long Beach, Coffin Bay on Saturday 14th October for World Migratory Bird Day. An art installation on the beach will be an opportunity to get to know some of the migratory shorebirds that fly from the other side of the world to spend the summer on our beaches. Participants will be able to walk amongst a fantastic flock of flamboyant life size birds and learn how to identify them by their distinguishing features such as beak shape and size. Then they can walk further along the beach and try and spot the real birds who are already showing up on the beach. They will be joined by a few of the local resident shorebirds who live permanently on our beaches, real and painted.

The colourful flock of birds have been painted at various community workshops and by artists around the state and have never been displayed all in one place before. Long Beach will be a wonderful backdrop to display the flamboyant flock.

Professional photographer Fran Solly and members of the Port Lincoln Camera Club will be offering a photo walk along the beach looking for both migratory and resident shorebirds and offering tips and tricks on photographing the birds including ethical birds photography.

The beach will be closed for the day to allow for visitor safety and the installation of the art display. Other activities starting from Long Beach include the Wild Yarnbala Tours, a guided walk through nearby native intact vegetation and an opportunity to view bush birds and forage for bush foods.

The Coffin Bay Community Hall will be the venue for the “Through the Lens” multimedia display of the nature around Eyre Peninsula, which will run from Friday 13th to Sunday 15 October. Exhibitors include the Southern Eyre Bird Group, Friends of the Osprey, Lake Wangary School, Australia’s Reptiles for All, Arj Slater, and Lower Eyre Coastcare with more being added.

Check the program and book tours at naturefestival.org.au