The official day with the theme 'sing, fly, soar like a bird' invites people to appreciate migratory birds and reflect on their relationship with nature. The day is celebrated annually on October 9.

The variety of migratory species travel between the Arctic Circle and Antarctica, some are observed and recorded by Hastings residents.

Club member Ken Monson said millions of amazing birds seasonally travel well-defined routes between their chosen breeding and feeding grounds.

"In the Mid North Coast we are ideally located sitting in the middle of a busy avian highway used by a rich variety of bush birds, seabirds and shorebirds," Mr Monson said.

"Members of the Hastings Birdwatchers Club look forward to welcoming our international visitors bringing to our region colour, song and intriguing behaviours."

A 'Breakfast with the Birds' was originally planned in the Hastings for World Migratory Bird Day, however the event has been cancelled due to COVID-19 guidelines.

Despite the breakfast, Mr Monson said residents can still have a great day out and observe a vast range of shorebirds in the Hastings.

"Shorebirds are certainly not the most colourful of species, nor are they melodious, yet their story captures the interest of many thousands of bird watchers world-wide," he said.

"Birds start arriving in about mid-August and stay for about seven months before commencing their return migration in early to mid-March.

"There are 37 species of Shorebirds that every year depart their Arctic breeding grounds to fly south to their Australian feeding sites.

"Here in the Mid North Coast we are fortunate to have some outstanding and accessible sites at which members of Hastings Birdwatchers have recorded up to 26 regular migratory shorebirds and three vagrant species.

"There are many lakes, wetlands, riverbanks, even rural dams and soaks in our region at which birds can be sighted.

"It is not always easy to distinguish between some of the species, particularly those of similar size. Field Guides, Bird Apps and binoculars are not only very helpful, but they make useful and enduring Christmas and birthday presents. We wish everyone successful viewing."

Some preferred sites for wildlife in the Hastings are Pelican Island at the mouth of the Hastings River. The Island is a protected site, an important feeding and roosting location for shorebirds including the critically endangered Eastern Curlew.

The club has been conducting formal monthly surveys of the Island since 1985 and recorded more than 125 species of birds, 18 are migratory shorebirds and six are resident waders. The shorebirds can be seen by circling the island by boat.

Manning River Estuary in Old Bar is one of the best locations for hundreds of migratory shorebirds. The estuary mud flats offer rich and diverse feeding grounds for the 18 species of shorebirds sighted at the estuary, eight species are listed as threatened. There has also been one vagrant recently recorded, a Kentish Plover.

Harrington provides reliable viewing by looking out over the sand-spit from the break-wall or by walking around the sand-spit to the ocean. At this site the club has identified 18 species of the migratory shorebirds, including one vagrant, a South Island Pied Oystercatcher.

Belmore Swamp offers three species of migratory shorebirds and three species of resident waders. Fifteen species of migratory shorebirds and one vagrant, a Lesser Yellowleg has been recorded at Boyters Lane.

Lake Innes, Lake Cathie, Cathie Lagoon, Queens Lake, Northhaven and Googleys Lagoon all offer 22 recorded species of migratory shorebirds. These locations are best observed when the lower tide exposes the mud flats and access is easy to most of them.