Birds in the Great Western Woodlands Project

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.

Location of the Great Western Woodlands

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 ad hoc 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 distances
travelled) 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

 The bird surveys will use the Atlas methods. These are:

o 2 hectare surveys for 20 minutes;

o Area searches within a radius of 500 metres (for

any period);

o Incidental surveys of single species of interest or

a single group of birds such as waterbirds;

o 2 hectare surveys can be embedded within an

area search (It’s not difficult to do and some
birdwatchers find this adds greatly to their
enjoyment of the surveys)

o For more information, see the attached Atlas

information.

 At least some surveys must be 2 ha surveys for 20

minutes Photo: Cheryl Gole

 Try to do at least 5 or 6 two hectare surveys each day (more is better)

 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 Ask each group to do a single 2 hectare survey for 20 minutes.

o Separate the 2 hectare sites by at least 400m.

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 still 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.

Photo: Ben Pearce The survey areas

The Great Western Woodlands is very large, and the

survey trips cannot aim to cover more than a small
fraction of the area. It is preferred that you and the
people travelling with you choose one of the specified
areas described below, however you are welcome to
discuss with Liz any additional areas you would like to
visit. Please place your first and second preference on
the participant’s questionnaire and we will allocate
from there, taking into account the number of leaders
we have and people’s preferences to visit particular
locations.

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 sites in the Great Western Woodlands

Survey Site descriptions:

Survey area Survey area Access Facilities Comments

description
Helena and Aurora From Southern Cross to 4WD No designated camp
Range
Koolyanobbing; sites along track.
Bungalbin Hill to Old homestead at
Pittosporum Rock then Jaurdi Station
to Jaurdi Station; then
exit south on Ryan’s
Road.
Credo Station Bird survey sites have 4WD Homestead, Rowles Lagoon
been set up at Credo shearing shed and can be busy
station in association new field centre at during holidays
with CSIRO’s Ozflux Credo. Need to
tower. book through DEC,
The nearby Rowles but mention that it
Lagoon is a large is for BirdLife GWW
freshwater lake project and no fees
will apply.
Rowles Lagoon –
tables, bbq, toilets,
camp sites. Suitable
for large groups
Survey area Survey area Access Facilities Comments
description
Norseman – Trans East from Norseman, 4WD No designated camp This route
line (Mt Monger)
turn north onto Mt sites travels through
Monger South Rd. pastoral
Continue north through stations. The
Madoonia Downs owners will
(previously Binneringie need to be
Station) to Mt Monger contacted to
confirm access
Newman Rock Popular stop on the Eyre 2WD from Tables, toilets at
Hwy, approx. 140km Kalgoorlie to Newman Rock.
east of Norseman. Can Newman Station Stay at
be combined with a Rock. 4WD if Fraser Range with
survey of Dundas continuing camp sites &
Nature Reserve (please north or accommodation -
note that much of south of fees apply.
Dundas has been burnt Balladonia No designated camp
in recent years), sites along
Balladonia Rd to the Balladonia rd
south of Balladonia, or
Balladonia-Zanthus Rd
to the north of
Balladonia
Trans Railway line Head east from 4WD No designated camp
from Kalgoorlie to
Kalgoorlie along the sites.
Zanthus
trans railway line to
Zanthus
Parmango/Balladonia Head east from 4WD No designated camp
Rd
Esperance on Fisheries sites.
Rd. Turn north onto
Parmango Rd and
continue north to
Balladonia
Frank Hann National From Lake King (north 4WD No designated camp Peak Charles
Park
of Ravensthorpe) head sites in Frank Hann. camp site can
east on the Lake King Camp sites and get busy
Norseman Rd. Can be toilets at Peak during holidays
combined with a visit to Charles. DEC
Peak Charles National currently upgrading
Park facilities
McDermid Rock West of Norseman along 4WD Suitable for a group All areas may
the Hyden Norseman and can be get busy
Rd. Can be combined accessed with small during
with surveys to the caravans. Camp holidays, but
north at Cave Hill and sites, tables, toilets. there are many
Victoria Rock Nature Cave Hill & Victoria tracks in the
Reserves Rock also have area with little
camp sites, tables, traffic
toilets
Survey area Survey area Access Facilities Comments
description
Karlkurla Park Small park on outskirts 2WD Tables. Full facilities Suitable for a
of Kalgoorlie in Kalgoorlie Kalgoorlie local
or a lunch spot
for people
travelling
through
Jilbadji Nature South and south-east of 4WD No designated camp The Holland
Reserve
Marvel Loch to the sites Track is
Holland Track. Following popular with
the Marvel Loch 4WD tourists
Forrestania Rd south will and can get
also get you to Lake busy during
Cronin holidays
East of Karroun Hill The area from Bullfinch 4WD No designated camp
Nature Reserve
(north of Southern sites.
Cross) to Mt Jackson to
Pigeon Rocks, returning
south on the Evanston-
Bullfinch Road.
Beringbooding Rock A series of granite 4WD Large site suitable
outcrops lie on the for trailers at
north-west edge of the Beringbooding
GWW (NW of Bullfinch), Rock. Nearby B&B.
including Beringbooding Elachbutting Rock
Rock, Elachbutting has a camp site &
Rock, Walyahmoning toilets.
Nature Reserve and
Baladjie Lake Nature
Reserve
Crystal Lake/ Following Dempster Rd 4WD No designated camp
southern Dundas
north-east from sites
Nature Reserve
Esperance to Crystal
Lake. Few surveys have
been conducted in this
region and it is not
known if there are any
other tracks in the area
Caiguna/Cocklebiddy Along the Eyre Hwy 2WD along Roadhouse motels Suitable for
around Cocklebiddy and Eyre Hwy at Caiguna and visitors to Eyre
Caiguna Cocklebiddy. Rest Bird
stops along Eyre Observatory or
Hwy. Eyre Bird people
Observatory south- travelling
east of Cocklebiddy across the
Nullarbor
What to bring with you

 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

 Supplies so that you are self-sufficient for fuel, food

and water for the duration of the trip

 Basic emergency car repair gear, including spare

tyres (two recommended)

 First aid kit

 Personal gear, including all weather protection (hat,

sunscreen), boots or closed in shoes; long pants and
long-sleeved shirts and broad-brimmed hats
preferred

 All those goodies you can’t camp without (red wine,

chocolate ...)

 Satellite phone, mobile phone, GPS (including

chargers/batteries) if you have them

 Camera

 Binoculars, notebook and pen/pencil, bird field Photo: Chris Tzaros

guides

 Atlas survey forms (Liz will send them to leaders)

 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.

Travelling and camping in the Great Western Woodlands

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:

 Drive only on tracks

 Don’t drive over vegetation if you can avoid it

 Don’t drive over granite outcrops

 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)

 Do not bury sanitary napkins etc: take

plastic bags and newspaper with you, wrap
them securely and keep them in your
rubbish (dingoes are great diggers)

Photographs

Are you a good photographer? If so, please take

photographs of the GWW and share them with us
for the project. Photos of people/activities and the
GWW itself are very welcome. If we use your
photos they will be credited. Photo: Martin Gole

More information
Liz Fox
E liz.fox@birdlife.org.au
T 0427 947 009 or (08)9287 2716

This project has been made possible by generous support through the
David Thomas Challenge and the WA Department of Environment and
Conservation Community Environmental Grants program.