Hi All,
Firstly, I would like to say a massive THANKYOU for volunteering to be part of the Latham’s Snipe survey. Your response has been fantastic and it looks
like we have managed to cover all the sites on our list (which was based on previous records). You are contributing to a massive effort, which also links with the South Eastern Australian Snipe surveys more broadly. I would also like to take the opportunity
to thank Chris Davey and Sue Lashko for all their efforts in helping to coordinate this.
Instructions are below. If you are unable to undertake a survey on a particular date, please just send me an email to let me know. Similarly, please
feel free to contact me if you have any issues or wish to discuss anything. All my contact details are at the bottom of this email.
Latham's Snipe Survey August 2016 to March 2017
The aim of the survey is to find out about other locations in urban and rural ACT where the Snipe may be found and to compare numbers and frequency of use with the birds using the Jerrabomberra
Wetlands.
Please survey your chosen wetland for Latham’s Snipe during 2016-17 spring/summer on the following weekends:
· August
20-21
· September
17-18
· October
15-16
· November
19-20
· December
17-18
· January
21-22
· February
18-19
· March
18-19
The preferred habitat of Latham's Snipe is the muddy edges of wetlands or boggy grasslands. As the birds do not readily show themselves it may be necessary to flush the birds. For a
thorough search of a wetland this could require gum boots so you can walk within a few metres of the water's edge, rather than a casual search from a path.
Many wetlands may be suitable for Snipe only under certain conditions. At present there is much water about and many wetlands could be so full that there is no suitable habitat for the
birds to feed. When recording the observations on your chosen wetland could you please indicate whether there is any suitable Snipe habitat available at the time of the survey.
Observations for the Latham’s Snipe survey can be recorded in one of three ways: as a COG Incidental Form (see http://canberrabirds.org.au/observing-birds/incidental-record-form/), via
eBird or as an email a message to Lori Gould (m("woodlandsandwetlands.org.au","Lori.Gould");" target="_blank">). We also wish to record whether Snipe have not
been observed or heard at any particular wetland.
The COG Incidental Form will accept a record if no birds are seen ; that is numbers seen = zero.
eBird does not accept zero sightings. The species is assumed to not be present if it is not listed. Therefore, if your survey of a particular wetland does not record any Snipe could you
please list those species that you have recorded. If all species seen have been recorded then record as a total survey, if not then report as a partial survey.
Kindest Regards,
Lori
Lori Gould
Program Manager
Woodlands and Wetlands Trust (Jerrabomberra Wetlands)
M: 0439030058
PO Box 58 Fyshwick ACT 2609
www.woodlandsandwetlands.org.au
