BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 1151          Total No. of Sites: 81
Survey/Project Name: South Australian Bittern Survey
Abstract: Very little is known about the habitat use and population sizes of the endangered Australasian Bittern and Australian Little Bittern in South Australia. Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, with the support of Birds Australia and Avian Monitoring Services, is coordinating state-wide surveys to improve our knowledge and to understand the significance of natural and artificial wetlands for these species. Coordinators of the project are seeking volunteers to help perform dawn or dusk surveys spring and summer 2017 at several wetland sites from northern Adelaide to the Fleurieu, the Lower Lakes and lower south east. Training events will provide volunteers with everything they need to know to perform the surveys. Long term monitoring project for Australasian Bitterns, that is relatively easy to conduct, but will provide scientifically robust data for producing an annual population index. To achieve this we are setting up a network of sites across the bitterns range where observers can go out and record the number of booming birds each year. We have selected sites which are representative of the bittern population size and potential habitat, while being relatively accessible. The rice crops will not form part of this study, as the annual cropping area varies considerably, the lateness of the growing season and also because it is being studied separately.
 
Start Date: 01/09/2017      End Date: 28/02/2018
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: Wetlands of the SAMDB, AMLR, SE and Fleurieu region. Lower Lakes, Greenfields, Tolderol Game Reserve Wetlands, Bool Lagoon, for example.
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: Surveys should only take about 1.5 hours and involve listening for their characteristic calls in good weather conditions. Two survey methods will be used to detect bitterns - Boom Index & Fixed listening survey. Site Requirements - Key bittern sites have been selected across the Australasian Bitterns range. These sites will need to be surveyed each year, so observers need to be found who can commit to surveying them. An individual would be given the responsibility of coordinating the surveys at each site. Each site should be visited twice during the spring/early summer. Survey Requirements - One survey should be conducted during each of these two periods: - mid Sept to end of Oct - early Nov to mid Dec Surveys could be carried out over a one hour period, either from: - half an hour before to half an hour after dawn, - or half an hour before to half an hour after dusk. Surveys need to be conducted in good weather conditions. Of primary importance is little or no wind. The number of observers required at each site will depend on the size of the wetland. Small Wetlands - Only one observer or survey team should be required. Locate the most suitable site for listening out for bitterns and conduct your survey. Large Wetlands ? Triangulation method At large sites observers should be stationed around the wetland at strategic points to ensure complete coverage, for triangulation of their records. Equipment for each survey team: - Several survey sheets, pens & clipboard - Compass (most GPS units don?t appear to have very good compasses) - Watch ? synchronised with other groups - Head torch - Mobile Phone (with other group numbers) At each point around the wetland the observer/team will record their position (lat/long coordinates). Each calling bird should be given a code (A, B, C, etc), the direction to bird recorded (compass bearing) and an estimate of the distance to calling bird (or at least close, far, very far). Then the start time of each call train for each bird should be recorded (to the nearest minute). Example of recording form attached. The number of calling birds at each wetland will then be calculated by triangulation of the calling birds based on time of calls and distance to bird in relation to the surveyors around the wetland. Bittern Calls: During spring and summer, males utter a distinctive, resonant bass booming call, preceded by up to three quick short, quieter gasp (not audible at distance). This call may occur in sets of several booms. Calling is considered to be associated with breeding and is most frequent at dawn and dusk, and may continue well into the night. Calls may carry over long distances in still air (has been likened to a distant foghorn). If heard well, it is unlikely to be confused with other species, though beware of the first part of the `thumping? call of Purple Swamphen or Black Swan and of cows making untypical noises.

Data Distribution Rules: Sensitive Dataset: Written permission required from Information Authority
Project Basis: Fauna : Presence and absence method
Fauna : Monitoring - Fauna/Ecosystem (ie species records - usually re-visited for ongoing monitoring) NOTE:NON Std Svy methodology may have been used.
Information Authority: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management (NRM) Region
Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management (NRM) Region
South East Natural Resources Management (NRM) Region
Department for Environment and Heritage (BDBSA:Adelaide)
BirdLife Australia