Weekly Bird Survey

* Weekly Bird Survey *

The new A3 format "Weekly Bird Survey" charts are now available

Please email me if you would like some mailed to you or your group

Instantly Report Bird Breeding. Click here!

With thanks to the Canberra Ornithologists Group
(in particular to Philip Veerman, Martin Butterfield, and the COG committee)
& to all the fantastic volunteer bird observers in Australia

Quick Links and Downloads:

Download Instructions (in Word) - Download Form (in Excel*) - Download Form (A3 size pdf)

* Also available in Excel 4 format with no graphics and no species list (much smaller file size)

Consent Form (this allows me to use the data you collect in my PhD study)

How are you going? Let me know using the "Survey on the Survey"

Background information: My PhD Project - Why this survey? - Contact Details

More details on the original Garden Bird Survey In 2002, Philip Veerman self-published a more detailed analysis of the GBS data, 'Canberra Birds: a Report on the First 18 years of the Garden Bird Survey' (copies are available from the author). This report sold out within a year and was then fully updated with three more years data and many improvements to include the first 21 years and was republished by Philip as 'Canberra Birds: A Report on the First 21 years of the Garden Bird Survey'.

Hot news: The latest issue of Birds Australia's journal Emu has an article summarizing what is know about climate change and birds in Australia. This is an interesting read. If you have not got access to this and would like a copy, please email me.

See also 'Other links' section below for more information on other surveys ...

Open Letter to participants

Dear bird observer!

As part of my PhD The effects of climate on the breeding of selected Australian avifauna I am examining the effectiveness of community surveys in gathering data that could be used to investigate the effects of climate (and climate change) on the breeding of Australian birds. So far, I have looked at data collected by volunteers through a variety of projects (e.g. BA Atlas and the Nest Record Scheme). This highlighted both the importance of this data and its limitations (e.g. small sample sizes).

One survey I was particularly impressed by was the Garden Bird Survey, run by the Canberra Ornithologists Group for the last 21 years. Although my studies have a very limited timeframe, making it difficult to collect long term data, I feel that it is very worthwhile to publicise and promote the need for such surveys, carried out by individuals and local environment groups.

Within the scope of my PhD, given sufficient enthusiasm from observers such as yourself, I hope to be able to compare the breeding seasons of some common garden birds between different parts of Australia. Given how little is known about breeding in Australian birds, every little bit of extra knowledge helps - even for common species such as Australian Magpie, Welcome Swallow, Red Wattlebird and Willie Wagtail, and introduced species such as Common Blackbird. These birds often breed in gardens and local parks, and it is very important that all breeding records are submitted to an appropriate recording scheme.
This data will provide critically important information on bird breeding and migration in Australia, and can help us predict and monitor the effects of climate change, not just on birds but on whole ecosystems.

It would be great if you or your group could become one of the first to trial the Garden Bird Survey outside Canberra. All you need are a few people who regularly observe birds in one location, e.g. in their backyard.

Simply choose an area and record the birds, and their breeding (if any), each week throughout the year. You can spend as little or as much time on the survey as you like - from 5 minutes a week, up to many hours, depending on your location and time availability. The area surveyed can be small (e.g. your backyard) or larger (e.g. a local park), the only requirement is that you are able to check it regularly. The recording forms are very similar to those tried and tested over the 21 years of the Canberra Garden Bird Survey. Links to download more details on the background of this survey, survey forms and full instructions can be found elsewhere in this web page (www.protoavis.com.au/bird.htm).

Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to take part in this survey (either as an individual or as a group). The survey runs for a full year, beginning in July. To achieve the best results for my project , it would be great if you could start the survey in July 2005 and continue recording until June 2006.

Thanks and best regards,

Heather Gibbs, h@ancc.com.au (PO Box 2110, Lygon St North, East Brunswick VIC 3057, Phone: 0409 236431).
Supervisors: Ashley Bunce (Deakin University, Burwood, 03 92517667); Andrew Bennett (03 92517609).
Advisor: Lynda Chambers, Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre, GPO Box 1289K MELBOURNE Vic 3001 (03 96694784)

Survey Instructions (summary):

Write your name, address and site details in the space provided at the top of the form.

The starting date for each week is shown at the top of the chart; write the day matching these dates at the top of the form.

Please note the area surveyed (a 100m radius – 3.1 ha - is good) and provide details on location and habitat where possible!

Record your best estimate of the maximum number of individuals of each species seen in the area at once during each week.

At the end of each week, check down the chart to ensure that you do not miss out species.

Write only one number in each “box” in the chart (and if applicable, one breeding code) - no zeros, ticks, dashes, etc., please.

If you run out of room, please request (or download and print) additional pages.

Record any breeding with the first applicable of any of the codes listed (at top).

You can submit separate lists of breeding records, notes of exact dates for unusual sightings, or significant migrants.

Please also note roughly how long you spend surveying each week.

Please send forms to Heather Gibbs at h@ancc.com.au or c/o Planning Works, PO Box 224, North Balwyn, Vic. 3104.

Please note that, if you choose to participate in the survey:

It is important that birds are not disturbed, particularly when breeding, and observers should stay at a distance and use binoculars or a telescope (if available) to assist in bird identification and in monitoring bird behaviour.

It is also very important that nests are not interfered with in any way, as this can lead to birds abandoning their nesting attempts and/or deserting their eggs or young.

You are also advised to take care and be aware of the possible risks involved (from being swooped by magpies in a local park to becoming lost in larger areas of bushland). If in doubt, please ask for advice or assistance.

This survey is run independently of Birds Australia. However, the survey data will be made available to Birds Australia for use in their Atlas database where observers give permission for this to occur.

Please note also that there are a variety of survey forms available from Birds Australia, e.g. for Atlas surveys, unusual records, nest records, and habitat assessments.

You are free to participate in or withdraw from the survey at any time.

You will be informed of the results of the study.

This survey may or may not form part of my PhD. To the extent that it does it will be covered by Deakin University’s guidelines, e.g. those regarding data collection, data security and privacy. To participate "officially", you would need to sign a Deakin University "consent form". I will send these once you indicate your intention to participate.

Please contact me if you would like any more information

Heather Gibbs

h@ancc.com.au
Mobile: 0409 236431

I am based in Brunswick, but please direct non-urgent mail to:
Heather Gibbs, c/o Planning Works, PO Box 224, North Balwyn, Victoria, 3104, Australia

Instantly Report Bird Breeding. Click here!

With thanks to the Canberra Ornithologists Group (in particular to Philip Veerman, Martin Butterfield, and the COG committee) & to all the fantastic volunteer bird observers in Australia

Hot news: The latest issue of Birds Australia's journal Emu has an article summarizing what is know about climate change and birds in Australia. This is an interesting read. If you have not got access to this and would like a copy, please email me.

See also 'Other links' section below for more information on other surveys ...

Please contact me if you would like any more information

With thanks to the Canberra Ornithologists Group
(in particular to Philip Veerman, Martin Butterfield, and the COG committee)
& to all the fantastic volunteer bird observers in Australia