COG’S
BIRD BLITZ 2011
Yes, it is on again, on the weekend of 29-30 October - COG’s
annual effort to record over the last weekend in October all species of birds
present in the ACT across as wide a variety of habitats as possible; and to
record any breeding activity. All COG members are warmly encouraged to
participate, so that we can cover as much of the ACT as possible. COG members
are encouraged to “adopt” one or more locations or entire grid
cells, and those already adopted will be shown on our website and updated from
time to time. But don’t be perturbed if your favorite location has been
taken - multiple surveyors per location are quite acceptable, though it would
be good if you took on at least one unclaimed site as well. Think about giving
an unknown area a try – it might prove exciting. In order to claim a grid
cell, please put in your bid to Barbara Allan, the blitz organizer, on or
phone her on 6254 6520.
If you are very familiar with a site and regularly survey there, or do
Birds Australia-registered two hectare surveys there, you would probably be the
best person to survey that site for the blitz if you can. But if last
years’ sites were boring or unpleasant or bird-free zones, pick somewhere
new this time. Or better still, do a 2-ha 20-min survey to “cover”
the site, then move on to somewhere more interesting. If you are a beginner,
probably the easiest way to participate is to do a survey in your local park
– but remember only to record the birds whose identity you are absolutely
sure of. And if work or family commitments preclude you from doing much at
all, be sure to try and do at least a 20-minute, 2-ha survey of your own
backyard and environs, to support COG’s blitz.
As usual, depending on the weather and Namadgi National Park
management, we hope to be able to conduct surveys beyond the locked gates in
the Park. The organizer is looking for more 4WDs and competent drivers to
tackle the fire trails. Please contact Barbara if you’d like to be
involved and/or if you have room in your vehicle and are willing to take
passengers.
All standard Birds Australia survey methods are acceptable – just
indicate on the electronic or hard-copy datasheet which one you used:
- a 20-minute survey
over 2 hectares (rectangle of 100 m x 200 m; or circle of radius 80 m)
- a survey within 500
m of a central spot, time unlimited but 20 mins or more
- a survey within 5 km
of a central spot, time unlimited (though please stay within the one grid cell).
Remember to record the abundance
of each bird species seen – e.g. 2 Laughing Kookaburra; plus any
indication of breeding using the following codes: ih (inspecting hollow); co
(copulating); nb (nest building); ny (nest with young); cf (carrying food); dy
(dependent young). Only record
species you are sure about. If you see a bird species on COG’s
“unusuals” list, take a photo of it, if at all possible; take
copious field notes of all the details you observe and any features you
didn’t see; then submit a completed “unusual bird report
form” (available on the COG website) with your hard-copy datasheet or
email it to
Datasheets are available at
COG meetings; from the organiser; or from the COG website under
“forms” – the COG observation record sheet is the general-use
form. This year you may also use COG’s electronic input option for your
blitz records, using the standard ABA
code not a specific blitz one. [This means that any ACT bird record entered
over the blitz weekend will be treated as if it were a blitz record]. If you aren’t already a user of the
online data entry system and would prefer to enter your blitz records this way,
please contact Paul Fennell our database manager for details – or 6254 1804. If
you use hard-copy datasheets, please mail them to COG blitz records, PO Box 301, Civic
Square ACT 2608; deliver them to Barbara; or hand them in at the November COG
meeting.
While most of us find the act of going out and recording birds
rewarding enough in itself, it is good if we can offer modest incentives such
as participation “lucky draw” prizes. If you are prepared to donate
books, wine, DVDs, native plants or anything suitable as a blitz prize, the organizer
would love to hear from you!
There will be regular blitz updates on the COG website, including lists
of unloved sites awaiting adoption, so do check it out. And join us for a fun
weekend of birding for a cause. Accounts of the outcome will be published in Gang-gang and Canberra Bird Notes in due course.
Barbara Allan
