‘Wings Over Wetlands’
By Liz Date-Huxtable
Hunter Bird Observers Club
April 2026
We celebrated World Environment Day this year when several community groups came together with activities and displays, to launch ‘Wings Over Wetlands’, a competition to create artworks of migratory shorebirds.
The competition is being run by the Port Stephens Community Art Centre, supported by the Port Stephens Council and the Sister Cities Sub-committee, and sponsored by Ingenia Lifestyle group.
The aim is to create banners depicting the winning artworks that will be raised annually in the streets of Nelson Bay in September (Biodiversity month), during which time opportunities to observe the annual arrival of the shorebirds and other threatened species will be hosted by local environmental groups, including HBOC.
Artists who wish to submit an entry in the competition must be based in the Hunter Region and in one of three age categories (primary school, secondary school or open).
Expressions of interest must be submitted by 31st May
A high quality photo of the artwork submitted by 31st July. Brochure details here, more details and registration here
The Hunter Bird Observers Club’s (HBOC) Fledglings team participated in the competition launch of ‘Wings Over Wetlands’. The competition’s launch included HBOC Fledglings’ shorebird activities for kids, making a godwit puppet and ‘flying’ it along our model flyway.
Festivities gathered momentum during the day, and our activity attracted 31 kids plus their parents – five of these families also ‘flew’ their puppets along the model flyway. We chatted with many other interested adults also.
Other activities included …
… creation of a model flyway by a talented chalk artist along the footpath in Apex Park
… puppeteers dressed as a Black Cockatoo and Sea-eagle (by Curious Legends),
… reading of ‘Circle’ a children’s storybook about the godwits’ annual journey and bird mask making by the Port Stephens Library
… information displays and onsite activities provided by EcoNetwork Port Stephens, the Friends of Tomaree National Park (part of the National Parks Association, Hunter Region), and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
