Small creatures take centre stage at Mullumbimby bug hunt
Grab a magnifying glass or mobile phone and discover the insects, spiders, slugs and other tiny creatures living right under our noses.
Curious nature lovers of all ages are invited to become citizen scientists during a special bug-spotting morning at The Paddock in Mullumbimby.
Organised by Byron Shire Council, the informal one-hour session will introduce participants to the fascinating creatures living above and below the ground, from butterflies and moths to spiders, insects and slugs.
The event is being held as part of Bugs in My Backyard Week, which runs nationally from 16 to 22 November. The week forms part of Bug Hunt, an annual initiative managed by the Australian Government and Australian Geographic to gather information about native invertebrates and potentially identify invasive species.
“We will be at The Paddock, at Mullumbimby, from 8am to 9am and we’d love to share our fascination with bugs with people,” Byron Shire Council Biodiversity Officer Claudia Caliari said.
“The Paddock Project is supporting local biodiversity, and this provides a fantastic opportunity to discover the diverse range of creatures living above and below the ground.
“It will be very informal, and people should bring a magnifying glass or a mobile phone to really look closely at how incredible some of these bugs are.
“Bugs in My Backyard is a fun way for children and adults to work with thousands of other people around Australia and discover all the amazing creatures living right under our noses.
“Every observation counts. By recording bugs on the Bug Hunt website, people can help scientists better understand local wildlife, support research into pollinators and natural pest controllers, and perhaps even discover a rare native insect or an emerging invasive species.”
Event details
What: Bugs in My Backyard community bug spotting
When: Tuesday 17 November 2026, 8am–9am
Where: The Paddock, Mullumbimby
Bring: A magnifying glass or mobile phone