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Formal monitoring of birds is best done following a standard protocol from Birds Australia. This protocol is available from http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/our-projects/atlas-birdata.html but is summarised below.
Select a monitoring area within a paddock, approximately 2ha (100m x 200m), and mark at least one of the corners so you can return to the same general location for the next monitoring event.
To help return to the same area, and to provide an on-going record of the site condition, it is a good idea to take a photo looking into the 2ha site from a couple of the marked corners.
Select a range of ‘habitat types’ and monitor them separately. Avoid mixing habitat types, keeping the centre points of monitoring areas at least 400m apart if practical. Depending on your farm, the following habitat types might be present and suitable for a monitoring program:
- Open pasture
- Pasture with scattered trees
- Windbreaks/shelter belts/corridors
- Dense timber
- Riparian zones
- Wetlands.
Wander through the selected area for 20 minutes during the morning or evening when birds are active. Use the recording sheet in this tool to record all species seen or heard (if you can recognise the calls) and the approximate numbers of each species present. Only record birds that are within or fly directly over the 2ha area.
Birds Australia recommend the ‘survey’ be carried out in each season for the first year, and then less frequently after that.
Bird identification resources
Birds on Farms - a website dedicated to the conservation, study and enjoyment of Australia’s native birds and their habitats, with tips on identifying birds on your farm. Visit: www.birdsaustralia.com.au
Bringing Birds Back - A Glovebox Guide for Bird Identification and Habitat Restoration in ACT & SE NSW: includes photos and descriptions of 30 bird species, their calls, habits and occurrence in revegetated sites. Visit: http://www.molonglocatchment.com.au/freebies_&_downloads.htm#Bringing_Birds_Back_
Download the Bird Monitoring Form (PDF 57KB). Copy this form if you have more than two sites to assess.
‘Quickchecks’ also contains a bird monitoring tool. See the signposts in procedure 5.4.
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