How to participate in a Glossy Count

    Before the Count
    On the day

    Before the Count

    1. Brush up on your Glossy Black-Cockatoo and feed tree identification skills

    2. Download the Birdata app and guide to recording Glossy data

    • Download the Birdata app from the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android).
    • Review the step-by-step guide and videos for recording data in Birdata: bit.ly/glossyproject

    3. Pack for the count 

    Items for your safety 

    • Mobile phone (if going to a remote area, pack an EPIRB or satellite phone).
    • Power bank (i.e., battery pack) and charging cables.
    • Map/GPS device for navigation (printed and/or on mobile device).
    • Water and food (including extra in the case of an emergency).
    • Sunscreen (at least SPF 30+) and insect repellent (at least 30% DEET).
    • First aid kit (including snake bandages).
    • Appropriate outdoor clothing (e.g., long-sleeves, hat) and footwear (e.g., enclosed shoes).

    Items for collecting data

    • Mobile phone or tablet, with the Birdata app installed.
    • Printed data collection sheets and pens/pencils if you want a back-up for your device.
    • Camera (most mobile phone cameras are adequate).
    • Binoculars are very useful for identifying birds and are highly recommended if you have them, but not essential.

    Important: If using printed data collection sheets, you will need a map or GPS device (Google Maps on your mobile device is fine) to mark the locations where you collect data. You will also need to enter this data into Birdata using the app or web portal when you return from the field.

    4. Leave at home 

    Do not bring drones, or dogs and other pets. Bringing these will disturb the birds and compromise your data collection. 

    5. Check for any weather warnings, planned burns, or park/forest closures that may affect your survey site.

    If you cannot access your survey site or it seems unsafe, see 'Safety first' below.

    Queensland

    Australian Capital Territory

    New South Wales

    Victoria

    On the day

    1. Safety first 

    • Check the relevant government websites for weather warnings, planned burns or park closures. If there is a severe weather warning (including high fire ratings, flood, or gale force winds) near your site, book a different site (see 'Before the Count' above).
    • Ensure you have all the items you need for your safety and for data collection (see 'Before the Count' above).
    • Let a friend or family member know where you are going and when you plan to return.

    If you cannot access your survey site or it seems unsafe:

    1. Do not enter or proceed. Do not cross private property unless you have prior permission.
    2. See if there is a different suitable survey site available to book at bit.ly/glossycount2023.
    3. If there is not a different suitable survey site available for you to survey during the Count weekend, you can always visit the site you originally booked at a later date (when it is safe to do so). While the data won't be included in the Great Glossy Count dataset, it will still help us build an important picture of where Glossies are (or are not) and how they use the landscape.

    2. Once you arrive at your data collection site

    • Familiarise yourself with your allocated site(s): 
      • Identify your entry and exit points.
      • Identify the nearest facilities and landmarks (e.g., restrooms or service stations).
      • Assess whether the site is safe (e.g., check warnings, tracks and trails, terrain, creeks).

    Important: If you cannot access your site or it seems unsafe, do not enter.

    Important: If your site overlaps with private property, do not enter the private property.

    3. Collect data

    • Walk through your site, using tracks and trails where possible, and search for she-oaks:
      • If you find a she-oak, look beneath it for chewings.
      • If chewings are present, or you see a Glossy Black-Cockatoo feeding on the she-oak, this is a feed tree.
    • Walk through your site looking and listening for Glossies:
      • Scan the sky for any birds flying overhead.
      • Look in and around she-oaks for signs of Glossy Black-Cockatoos.
      • Check possible drinking areas if it is close to dawn or dusk.
      • Listen for calls or feeding noises (the clicking of their bills can be heard up to 50 metres away). If you think you hear a Glossy, head towards the direction of the sound, looking for chewings as you go.

    Important: Do not purposefully disturb Glossies to get a good photo or identification. Disturbing birds can harm them by disrupting their normal behaviour.

    • Spend at least one hour (ideally a few) collecting data at your site. Stay on or close to tracks and trails and try and cover as much of your site as you can.
    • Record your data in the Birdata app (preferred), or on a printed data collection sheet.

    4. If you do not find Glossies or feed trees

    Please record this valuable “zero data.” Data on the absence of Glossies and their feed trees can help researchers understand how Glossies use current and potential habitat.

    Every 15 – 30 minutes, if you have not observed any evidence of Glossies or their feed trees, record a survey point in the Birdata app or on a printed data collection sheet.

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