The bird count will run from October 23 to 29, and aims to count 1.5 million birds in seven days.

There is even an Aussie Bird Count smartphone app that will allow novice bird-watchers to identify birds by entering in their size, shape and colour and picking from a list of results.

Local bird watcher Mick Roderick says the forests around Cessnock, such as Werakata National Park, are “vitally important” for woodland bird species.

Square-tailed kites, the painted button-quail and the regent honeyeater are among the rare species that have been spotted in the local area.

“People around Cessnock are quite lucky to live in a great place for birds,” he said.

“It’s got great tourism potential as a passive recreation activity.”

More than 61,000 people took part in the last year’s bird count.

The bird count is part of BirdLife Australia’s National Bird Week celebrations, which will conclude with the annual Twitchathon on October 28 and 29.

The Twitchathon will see hundreds of birdwatchers across the country head out into swamps, beaches, gardens and even sewage ponds to see as many different birds as they can, with each team vying for the coveted honour of being the state’s top twitchers, while raising much-needed funds for bird conservation at the same time.

To support a local or state team see all state causes here, https://www.birdlifetwitchathon.org.au/teams.