This is a detailed analysis of the GBS that has been run by Canberra Ornithologists Group (COG) in Canberra,
since July 1981. The report is based
on the first 21 years of continuous data, from 53244 observer weeks of data,
from 1316 observer years of data, from a total of 294 sites. It fully describes
the survey's history and methods. It contains a detailed discussion of the
literature of urban bird surveys around the world (three pages). It is a very
useful reference for anyone who has ever participated in or planned a long-term
volunteer based bird population survey. It addresses how observer activity
affects results and the importance of habitat at the range of sites. It
demonstrates observer differences in results. It details how recording rate
relates to assessed abundance of birds and how the connection alters, according
to the migratory and social behaviour of birds. It makes vital comparisons
between results of the GBS and the COG ACT Bird Atlas. It describes frequency
distribution by year at which species were recorded and found breeding. It shows
how species diversity and total abundance of bird fauna varies over the year (by
month). It describes how residency of birds is assessed. There are 34 Figures
(graphs) and 2 data Tables in this first section. Conservation aspects are also
addressed.
It also
includes 40 pages of text (in standard sequence with one exception) on 165
species where the data are sufficient, on monthly patterns of abundance and/or
long term trends in abundance, such as increases, decreases and stability. Also
timing and duration of all stages of breeding is given (if recorded). Monthly
patterns are interpreted relative to migration, changes in habitat use over the
year, seasonal changes in behaviour and breeding. It includes 15 pages of
clearly set out graphs of both monthly and long-term abundance, over the
21 years, for 120 species. It includes graphs of frequency by month of each
stage of breeding activity for the 18 species with the most breeding records. It
includes 11 Appendices of detailed statistical and other supplementary
information (statistics on occurrence and breeding of all species and statistics
on all sites, plus other items) and over 150 references and a comprehensive
index.
The
report is 130 pages, printed in plain black with a yellow cover. It is set out
to avoid blank space. Although it is in part based on the same dataset, this
report includes four extra years of data and far more detailed analysis and none
of the pictures that are in the book Birds of Canberra Gardens. (But it
does have three original pictures) This report is very different in concept,
coverage and design.
For those familiar with the first edition I'll let you know of
some of the changes: I have included
comment on the likely impact on birds of the recent Canberra fires, many more
references especially of studies in Europe, several more species, more text,
three new appendices and two extra pages of brand new graphs showing breeding
chronology of 18 species. I also fixed many small errors in the previous
version. One of the introductory graphs has been replaced by another that better
shows a more important point. The statistical work is now better supported. The
print quality is also much better as the whole document has been printed
directly from the computer file (pdf), rather than mostly from scanned pages.
There are also several design enhancements implemented.
As far as the information content goes in changes from the first version,
if all you are interested in is a description of the survey history, methods and
style of results, then there probably isn't a lot that is new (some improvements
in _expression_, a better presentation and a lot more data with better statistical
analysis). However it is interesting to note the trends that have developed with
three more years of survey data. Generally species that showed signs of
increase, decrease, consistency or inconsistency over the first 18 years have
maintained the same trends with 21 years of data. Most of the parrots and small
birds have continued to increase in abundance. Many of the summer migrants from
northern Australia have continued to decrease in abundance. However these
are only broad statements and you need to consider each species separately.
There are several other events of interest. The Rose Robin and Collared
Sparrowhawk have recently drastically escalated their previous increase in
abundance. The Forest Bronzewing has achieved a new level of increased
abundance. The Crested Pigeon has shown signs of stabilisation after increasing
for the previous ten years. Several other species that were not included in the
18 year report text are now included because there is now sufficient information
to make some useful comment on them.
Many of you will have the first version and I thank you for
that. I am just a little hesitant about promoting another version so quickly, so
in case you are wondering, I'll explain why. Firstly, I have no intention to
burden people with an ongoing series of replacements (I'm not Microsoft). The
simple situation is that the 18 Year Report is now sold out within one year and
I am still getting requests for it. The reviews of it are starting to appear. So
I needed to print more. I decided that I needed to fix a whole lot of little
errors and if I am going to spend all that money to reprint it (yes I am paying
for the whole thing without any financial support from anybody) then I might as
well update it with the three more years of data now available. At this stage, I
don’t expect to update it again, until at least another four years have
passed (if at all). The COG Annual Bird Reports can handle the update
role.
So the price on this report is $20.00 (costs have increased
since last year), however given the above, I would be willing to contemplate a
reasonable discount to anyone who has bought the previous version from me, if
you would like to make such an offer. (Plus package and postage fee of $3.50 in
a padded bag). Initially this will be available only from:
Philip Veerman
24 Castley Circuit
Kambah ACT 2902
Australia
Please
contact me first (preferably by email) before sending any money and to sort out
any arrangements. I can also accept payment by electronic funds transfer.
