A reminder about COG’s bird blitz on the weekend of 25-26 October - COG’s annual effort to record all species of birds present in the ACT across as wide a variety of habitats as possible; and to record any breeding activity. You are encouraged to “adopt” one or more locations or entire grid cells, and those already adopted will be shown on our website www.canberrabirds.org.au and updated from time to time. But don’t be perturbed if your favorite location has been taken - multiple surveyors per location are ok. In order to claim a site, 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 BirdLife 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.
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. You may also use COG’s electronic input option for your blitz records. 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. If you use other electronic bird input systems, contact Barbara for advice on how to provide your data.
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. Currently the following prime sites are awaiting owners: Mt Majura; Mt Ainslie; Orroral Valley; Campbell Park; Newline; Dunlop grasslands; Jerrabomberra grasslands; Tuggeranong Hill; Urambi Hills; Yankee hat; Yerrabi Track; Brandy Flat – and more. Join us for a fun weekend of birding for a cause!
