A brief report on the Hinterbliitz
As mentioned in a number of emails to the chatline and http://franmart.blogspot.com/2009/03/hinterblitz.html I decided to try to undertake a version of the Blitz technique for the areas of the COGAOI outside the ACT for the period around the 21st of March 2009. This is a brief summary of the outcome of the event and contains a few thoughts for the future. A more detailed analysis, including an assessment of the extent to which the objectives were met, will be compiled and submitted to the Editor of Canberra Bird Notes in due course.
41 data sheets were compiled during the Hinterblitz covering 34 Grid squares. 579 observations of birds were recorded covering 102 species.
The location of the Grid squares covered by the Hinterblitz, and the number of records for each of the squares are shown in the image.
The Northern and Southern extremes of the COGAOI were not covered so those rows have been omitted.
Observers undertook a range of counts, mainly 2Ha or 500m radius sites. Times in sites ranged from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
The most frequently observed species were: Australian Magpie (27 sites, 66% of total); Crimson Rosella (26, 63%); Grey Fantail (20, 49%) and Red Wattlebird (19, 46%). 31 species were recorded on one sheet only.
The most abundant bird was Common Starling (703 birds recorded at 13 sites, with 554 birds counted in a single flock on Lake Road, Bungendore). Other abundant birds were Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (156,15); Little Raven (134,7); Australian Magpie (125,27), and Australian Wood Duck (113, 7). 17 species were represented by a single bird. The most "unusual" bird - well-discussed on the chatline -was the Chestnut-rumped Heathwren from Wamboin with two birds reported.
The Hinterblitz coincided with the Waterbird Survey and details of observations were provided forthis report. However, due to the low water levels in Lake Bathurst and The Morass few waterbirds were reported from those sites. Most waterbird reports came from the Bungendore Sewage Ponds or the Foxlow Lagoon.
41 data sheets were compiled during the Hinterblitz covering 34 Grid squares. 579 observations of birds were recorded covering 102 species.
The location of the Grid squares covered by the Hinterblitz, and the number of records for each of the squares are shown in the image.
The Northern and Southern extremes of the COGAOI were not covered so those rows have been omitted.
Observers undertook a range of counts, mainly 2Ha or 500m radius sites. Times in sites ranged from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
The most frequently observed species were: Australian Magpie (27 sites, 66% of total); Crimson Rosella (26, 63%); Grey Fantail (20, 49%) and Red Wattlebird (19, 46%). 31 species were recorded on one sheet only.
The most abundant bird was Common Starling (703 birds recorded at 13 sites, with 554 birds counted in a single flock on Lake Road, Bungendore). Other abundant birds were Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (156,15); Little Raven (134,7); Australian Magpie (125,27), and Australian Wood Duck (113, 7). 17 species were represented by a single bird. The most "unusual" bird - well-discussed on the chatline -was the Chestnut-rumped Heathwren from Wamboin with two birds reported.
The Hinterblitz coincided with the Waterbird Survey and details of observations were provided forthis report. However, due to the low water levels in Lake Bathurst and The Morass few waterbirds were reported from those sites. Most waterbird reports came from the Bungendore Sewage Ponds or the Foxlow Lagoon.
Comments
It would be good to see those grid squares overlaid on the actual map of the COG AO.
Ciao fellow twitcher
... how I wonder who you are? Good comment - I hadn't been able to work out how to do it, but can now see a way, which I will try to do for my more detailed report.
Martin