After only 48 hours of counting, the Australian Magpie has swooped in and taken the lead in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count with NSW bird watchers helping count more than 400,000 birds across the country including 543 species.

Using the free Aussie Bird Count app, which began trending in Apple’s iTunes store on the second day of counting, NSW residents have already submitted more than 2532 bird counts helping the Rainbow Lorikeet take the lead in the state’s count.

“By swooping in and taking the lead, the Australian Magpie clearly demonstrates the scientific value of the Aussie Backyard Bird Count and how it adds to data collected by our other programs such as the State of Australia’s Birds report,” BirdLife Australia’s, Sean Dooley said.

“While the State of Australia’s Birds report indicated that Magpies were in decline in some parts of Australia, that data tended to have been collected from rural and bush areas and conservation reserves. It will be interesting to see how the large numbers of sightings of the Magpie in urban areas through the Aussie Bird Count compares to what is going on elsewhere in the country.

“The combination of data from scientific surveys such as the State of Australian Birds and the Bird Atlas as well as citizen science projects such as the Aussie Bird Count give us a clearer picture of what’s happening across the country, including in our urban areas like backyards.”

With only five days left to count 1.5 million birds for the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, NSW counters are encouraged to stay in their backyards if they want to maintain their position as Australia’s top counters.

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count really is for everyone, and anyone can take part anywhere in Australia.

Download the free app or join the count at aussiebirdcount.org.au.