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The
instructions on the GBS chart since 1993 state: "There
is no altitude limit, and no requirement for the birds to be 'using' the area".
This is for three reasons:
1 So
that we can obtain data on a wider range of species than those just frequent the
gardens to help as collect structured information and reports on as many species
as fit the method. It is not a survey of use of domestic areas by birds.
2 It
is often unreasonable to be able to expect people to decide on and count whether
a bird flying over is above or below 100 metres altitude, especially as that may
apply to anything from the tiny but high flying Mistletoebirds to eagles and
pelicans and swirling flocks of swifts at various altitudes.
3 To
clarify and fix the instructions on the GBS chart V1 & 2 (1981 to 1993)
which were ambiguous as to including high flying birds.
So if
you were "doing a GBS chart, which I am
not" it all revolves around what you mean by the word "above" in "flying about 100 meters high above". As in if it is above, they should be
included. If Mark or anyone wished to contribute to the GBS and wished
to use a different set of protocols to what is prescribed, well that is each
person's choice, as a volunteer, although I would have preferred not. Because of
the "citizen science" nature of the survey, I have regarded it as more
beneficial to have people contributing in a manner not 100% compliant with the
methods (provided they are fairly close) than to not contribute and us to miss
out on the record input that they would otherwise add.
It is
well understood that the approach taken by people to the GBS does vary, as do
their skills in finding, identifying and counting birds. Thus it is one of the
important biases that needs to be understood in terms the range of
complications in understanding what use or not the project delivers. Which is
why I tried to address these complications in The GBS Report.
Philip
Morning all,
This morning around 1025 there was a group of around six
Dusky Woodswallows flying about 100 meters high above my Kaleen house and moving
in a roughly westerly direction. This is the first time I have seen them “this
season” and was wondering if they are the six or so birds that are regular near
the back gate to CSIRO (Wildlife etc, etc) along Bellenden Street, Crace. If I
was doing a GBS chart, which I am not, these birds really shouldn’t qualify for
inclusion as they are not actually in, or even near, my garden.
Cheers,
Mark
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