Count pelicans for PeliCount 2026

This Sunday the national PeliCount will be held, urging Australians to count pelicans.

The nationwide citizen science initiative, organised by COAST Rescue, invites Australians of all ages and backgrounds to spend just 15 minutes observing and recording pelican sightings in their local area.

"Pelicans are iconic birds in the Australian landscape, but there's still so much we don't know including how to best conserve them on a local level," said Olly Pitt, co-coordinator of PeliCount.

"This project gives everyone a chance to contribute to meaningful data while enjoying time in nature."

Participants can register via email or find PeliCount on Facebook for a direct registration link.

Participants receive a data sheet link to fill in on Sunday, July 5.

They'll be asked to record: GPS location, start time of observation, habitat type (such as beach or boat ramp), number of pelicans seen, whether the birds appear to be adults or juveniles, if any have injuries or are unwell.

The project aims to build a national snapshot of where pelicans are found, identify key habitat areas, and track juvenile dispersal.

A free outline will be available to help participants learn how to identify pelicans, understand the data form, and safely contribute to the survey.

The volunteer PeliCount team will also be sharing updates and educational content across COAST Rescue's social media platforms.