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Thanks very much for your interest in being involved in BirdLife’s Great Western Woodlands project!
The Great Western Woodlands (GWW) is the largest intact Mediterranean woodland on Earth, but has
been relatively poorly surveyed for birds, with some areas having had few, if any, bird surveys –
particularly in the eastern half of the region. BirdLife Australia is partnering with The Nature Conservancy
to establish a long-term monitoring project in the woodlands to assess population status, movements
and key resources for bird species in the region, to better inform conservation and management of this
significant ecosystem. In order to achieve this, we intend to conduct systematic bird surveys in each
season from 2012 to 2014 to construct reliable baseline information on the avifauna of this unique
region.
Survey Logistics
The surveys will consist of small groups of people who will travel together, camp together and do bird
surveys in the GWW;
Unless otherwise agreed, survey groups will have at least 2 vehicles but no more than 5 vehicles;
Each group will have a leader who ensures all participants are safe, and coordinates the bird surveys
in their area;
Bird surveys will be conducted both in locations specified by the project coordinator and
opportunistically during your travels;
In the event of rain in the week or two beforehand, some tracks might not be navigable and a survey
area might not be accessible. Please contact Liz if you are unsure about access in your area;
Because of the distances involved, a small fuel subsidy of $40 - $125 (dependent on distance
travelled – contact Liz for more information) will be paid AFTER the survey as a BP fuel card that is
redeemable at BP service stations. To get the fuel subsidy:
o The fuel subsidy will only be paid to the driver or vehicle owner.
o At least one person in the vehicle must be actively participating in bird surveys over the
period of the survey.
o Atlas methods (including 2-hectare 20 minute surveys) must be used to survey birds.
o A number of bird surveys have to be done each day (we need a sample of surveys across
the areas you visit).
o You must return the bird survey (Atlas) forms to Liz Fox at the end of your trip.
o Once Liz receives the Atlas forms, she will post the fuel card to you.
Each seasons ‘core’ dates for the survey will be advertised to enable group leaders and participants to
be matched up. However, survey dates are flexible and you can conduct surveys for a longer or
shorter period, or at another time during the season if preferred.
The bird surveys will use the Atlas methods. These are:
When you are choosing bird survey sites, choose a mix of vegetation types – do some in woodland,
some in shrubland, some in mallee etc. The vegetation types are going to vary according to the
country you’re travelling through. If you travel through extensive areas of (for example) woodland or
shrubland, then do your surveys in just those vegetation types.
If you are doing bird surveys with more than 2 people, and you have at least two experienced
observers:
o Separate your group into two or more small survey parties with a more experienced
observer in each.
o One suggestion is that you can ‘leapfrog’ vehicles along a section of track, choosing
survey sites at intervals of some kilometres or whatever suits your travel arrangements.
o Include your campsite as a 500 metre area search for the duration of your stay in the
camp: that way, you can include any night birds you see or hear.
For each survey, we ask that you identify the basic vegetation type that you are doing the survey in
(eg woodland, mallee, shrubland). See the attached vegetation document for photographs and
descriptions of vegetation types. Please write this on the comments part of the Atlas form.
Please conduct surveys in a range of vegetation types and fire ages, as occurs within your survey
area.
If you don’t see any birds during your survey this is very important information. Complete an Atlas
form and write ‘nil birds’ in the comments section.
If you spotlight for birds at night (for night birds) record birds seen on an Incidental search
If you record waterbirds on a survey, please count the number for each species (or estimate the
number) and write the count next to the species name on the Atlas form
If you are choosing a map datum for your GPS, choose GDA. If you use another datum, that’s fine but
remember to record it on the Atlas form
Atlas forms can be filled out on the trip or immediately after your return, and returned to Liz Fox.
Post or deliver them to 167 Perry Lakes Drive, Floreat 6014. Your fuel subsidy will be made available
after the forms are returned to Liz, but they must include a reasonable number of surveys and some
of the surveys must be 2 hectare surveys. If you would prefer to enter your data online through
Birdata please let Liz know.
As the whole region is very large, there will NOT be a central meeting place for all groups. Rather,
groups will agree on their own starting/meeting place and will agree on their own campsites.
Location of survey areas in the Great Western Woodlands
High clearance vehicle: 4WD or AWD suitable for unsealed tracks. Some tracks will not be
suitable for low clearance sedans
Camper trailer/tent or vehicle-based camping gear. Not all areas are suitable for caravans
Maps (a map or maps of the survey area will be provided to each leader). For both leaders and
participants the WA Travellers Atlas and the WA Country Roads Directory show major roads and
tracks in the area and you might find them useful for general access. Bring them if you have
them. Hema’s Great Desert Tracks covers the Trans Line, although at a large scale. If you have
topographic maps (1: 250,000 scale) of the area you are visiting, bring them along. We will
provide laminated topo maps; these belong to the project and need to be returned to Liz after
the trip.
The Great Western Woodlands project aims to provide information that better protects and manages the
conservation values of this amazing area. We must do our bit to protect it:
When choosing a campsite, choose a clear area where you can get your vehicles and camping
trailers or tents off the road
Conserve wood on the ground: if lighting fires for cooking, only use the amount of wood you
need
Watch campfire safety. Don’t light a fire in high wind; maintain a cleared area around your fire;
make sure your fire is out before you leave your campsite. Fire bans for the Great Western
Woodlands shires occur over summer (typically December – March). Contact the local shire for
more information
Take your rubbish home with you: if you carry it in, carry it out
Allow your fellow campers and the environment clean air: burn paper and cardboard only; take
all plastics, waxed and plasticised wrappings, meat trays, bottles and cans home with you or
dispose of them in community waste bins on your way home. Hint: you can wash potentially
smelly things like meat trays in your leftover washing up water and leave them to dry overnight.
Bury human waste deep and consider burning your toilet paper (dingoes are great diggers)
Photographs
More information
Liz Fox
E liz.fox@birdlife.org.au
T 0427 947 009 or (08)9287 2716