SWIFT PARROT SEARCH RESPONSES TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the revised monitoring approach for Swift Parrots, Regent Honeyeaters and other ...
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SWIFT PARROT SEARCH RESPONSES TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about the revised monitoring approach for Swift Parrots, Regent Honeyeaters and other woodland birds Version 1.01 31st March 2021
Contents
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIRD SEARCHES ................................................................................ 3
1. Why do we survey for five minutes only? .............................................................................. 3
2. What if I can't see or hear all the birds near the boundary of the 50 metre radius search
area? ............................................................................................................................. 3
3. Do I record birds flying overhead during a ―Swift Parrot Search‖ survey? ................................... 7
4. Can I record opportunistic sightings of Swift Parrots or Regent Honeyeaters? ............................. 4
5. What happens if a Swift Parrot or Regent Honeyeater is seen at a designated monitoring site
only after the completion of a 5 minute survey period? Or only before its commencement? ........ 6
6. Do I have to record other bird species during a ―Swift Parrot Search‖ survey? ............................ 6
7. Can I record Swift Parrots and other birds that were only heard and not seen? ........................... 8
8. What happens if the 50 metre search area extends into private land? ....................................... 8
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OVERALL SURVEY APPROACH .............................................................. 9
9. Do I have to use the Birdata app to undertake the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys? ...................... 9
10. Can I submit my ―Swift Parrot Search‖ results into eBird, iNaturalist, BirdLine or other data
collection apps? ............................................................................................................... 10
11. Can I submit my opportunistic sightings of Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters into eBird,
iNaturalist, BirdLine or other data collection apps and websites? ............................................. 10
12. Are there particular times of the day that the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys must be
undertaken? .................................................................................................................... 10
13. Are there particular weather conditions in which the surveys should be avoided? ........................ 11
14. Should the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys only be undertaken during the two biannual survey
periods? ......................................................................................................................... 11
15. Can I survey the same site more than once during a designated 6-week survey period? .............. 13
16. Someone else has already recently surveyed my intended site. Can I survey it again? ................ 13
17. Do I still submit my survey results even if I do not see any Swift Parrots or Regent
Honeyeaters? .................................................................................................................. 12
18. Can I continue to undertake searches for Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeaters using my
traditional approach? ........................................................................................................ 12
QUESTIONS ABOUT PLANT SPECIES AND FLOWERING INTENSITY ............................................... 13
19. Do I have to record tree and mistletoe flowering? .................................................................. 13
20. What if I am unable to identify a tree or mistletoe species? ..................................................... 14
21. What if I cannot find one of the tree species that has been pre-determined as occurring at a
site? .............................................................................................................................. 17
22. What if I find a tree species within the site that is not provided as one of the options? ................. 18
QUESTIONS ABOUT SURVEY LOCATIONS ................................................................................. 19
23. Can I propose a new designated survey point within the Swift Parrot Search area? ..................... 19
24. Do I have to engage with a regional coordinator before undertaking a ―Swift Parrot Search‖
survey? .......................................................................................................................... 19
25. Can I undertake searches for the target species while travelling between designated
monitoring points? ........................................................................................................... 20
26. Can ‗Swift Parrot Searches‘ be undertaken in Tasmania? ......................................................... 20
27. What do I do if I cannot reach a monitoring point due to access issues? .................................... 20
QUESTIONS ABOUT RECORDING WATER WITHIN SEARCH AREA ................................................. 20
28. Do I have to record the presence of water within the search area?............................................ 20
29. What is considered to constitute the ‗presence of water‘ within the search area? ......................... 20
Swift Parrot Search - Responses to Frequently Asked Questions
V1.01 – 31 March 2021
INTRODUCTION Purpose of this document This document aims to provide standard responses to regular queries that have been raised by birdwatchers and other naturalists in response to the revised citizen-science monitoring approach for Swift Parrots. Please feel free to contact us if your particular query is not addressed by this document (woodlandbirds@birdlife.org.au). Why is a revision to the monitoring approach required? Due to a range of historic and on-going threats since European colonisation of the Australian continent, the migratory Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor now finds itself on the brink of extinction in the wild. Although many of the challenges and opportunities for the species‘ recovery are in its Tasmanian breeding habitat, there is also much that can and is being done by governments, researchers, NGOs, community groups and individuals to improve the Swift Parrot‘s prospects within its winter foraging grounds across south-eastern mainland Australia. A particular mainland challenge is the numerous critical knowledge gaps that are constraining the implementation of effective and timely conservation action. For example, there is not a clear explanation for the observed major geographic shifts in the Swift Parrot‘s winter habitat use over recent years. Similarly, we have an incomplete understanding of triggers for the species‘ movement patterns within and between seasons, their interactions with other species, and the variability in food availability over space and time. To an uncertain extent, most of these knowledge gaps appear to be directly or indirectly related to climate change. We are extremely grateful to the many volunteer birdwatchers that have participated in the existing long-term biannual citizen-science monitoring program for Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters. The data collected over many years – going back to the mid-1990s - continues to improve our understanding of the ecology of these species. However, the program was not designed to answer the new and pressing conservation questions with level of accuracy and urgency now required. The revised monitoring program – termed Swift Parrot Search – has been specifically tailored to address these questions with an enhanced scientific rigour and repeatability. While it has a central focus on Swift Parrots, the new method is also expected to shed light on many of our ‗at risk‘ woodland birds, including the Regent Honeyeater. Swift Parrot Search is to be rolled out during 2021 and early 2022, and will progressively replace the existing monitoring approach. Volunteer birdwatchers will still be critical to the success of the revised program, and will be encouraged and supported to undertake the vast majority of the targeted surveys. What is the revised monitoring approach? As at early 2021, ecologists from BirdLife Australia and Australian National University have established more than 1200 fixed-point monitoring sites on public land throughout the known and potential mainland range of the Swift Parrot. On-going efforts during the remainder of 2021 will see a further 1000 or more additional sites established. Each monitoring location has a unique identification code, and comprises a circular 50 metre radius search area. Using the Swift Parrot Search portal within the Birdata database, volunteer birdwatchers will undertake a 5 minute search for Swift Parrots and any other birds present at each of these Policy Number: Date: 1
fixed locations. The availability of nectar and water is also to be estimated at each location.
Detailed descriptions of the survey method and data entry process are provided on the Swift
Parrot Search webpage (https://birdlife.org.au/swift-parrot). This present document aims to
clarify particular uncertainties and regular queries regarding the revised approach.
The specific dates of the biannual monitoring periods will adjust from year-to-year, but will
typically cover 6-week windows as follows:
- Round 1: From last week in April to first week in June (roughly centred on the
traditional 3rd weekend in May)
- Round 2: From mid-July to late August (roughly centred on the traditional 1st weekend
in August).
Swift Parrot Search is a volunteer-based monitoring program developed by BirdLife Australia’s
woodland bird program in partnership with Australian National University’s Difficult Bird Research
Group, the National Swift Parrot Recovery Team, and relevant government agencies and community
groups. Swift Parrot Search is supported by Local Land Services through funding from the Australian
Government, and environmental offsets provided under state and Federal approvals.
Policy Number:
Date: 2
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIRD SEARCHES
1. Why do we survey for five minutes only?
Short surveys of small areas allow us to cover more ground in the field. This is really
important when searching for rare species with large distributions like Swift Parrots and
Regent Honeyeaters.
Whilst there is a small chance you may miss some Swift Parrots in a five minute survey,
there is a higher chance they are actually just somewhere else. By all means, stay for longer
than 5 minutes if you think there may be swifties or regents there (e.g. the trees are in
heavy flower and lots of birds are present), but please only record the birds you find during
the 5 minute survey period on the official datasheet and in the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ Birdata
portal. This is really important to keep the data as standardised as possible. If you do find
swifties and regents at a site only after the 5 minute period is completed, please still let us
know (see Questions 3 and 4 for notes on how to do this).
This 5 minute-50 metre radius survey method has been tested and refined over a number of
years by ornithologists from BirdLife Australia and the Australian National University (ANU) at
a range of high priority Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot locations. It has also been used
by ANU as part of targeted surveys for the Swift Parrot in Tasmania. Whilst it may seem a
little strange at first, we are confident you will get used to it very quickly!
For those interested in delving deeper into this survey method, below is a list of further
reading. These are available for downloading as PDFs from the following website -
https://www.difficultbirds.com/research-output:
Crates, R. et al. (2017). An occupancy approach to monitoring regent honeyeaters.
Journal of Wildlife Management. 81(4):669-677.
Webb, M. H. et al. (2014). Location matters: Using spatially explicit occupancy models to
predict the distribution of the highly mobile, endangered swift parrot. — Biological
Conservation 176: 99-108.
Crates R. et al (2018) Contemporary breeding biology of critically endangered Regent
Honeyeaters: implications for conservation. Ibis 161(3):521-532.
Crates R. et al (2018) Spatially and temporally targeted suppression of despotic noisy
miners has conservation benefits for highly mobile and threatened woodland birds.
Biological Conservation 227, 343-51.
2. What if I can't see or hear all the birds near the boundary of the 50 metre
radius search area?
Fifty metres is not too far, particularly in woodlands. We anticipate that you should be able to
detect swifties and most other birds by sight or sound while standing at the centrepoint of the
50 metre radius search area. That said, if you feel the need to wander off centre to check a
flowering tree on the edge of a site, or to confirm the ID of a bird - go for it!*
*Note: In some situations, the centrepoint of a monitoring site is within public land, but the
broader 50 metre radius search area extends into adjoining privately owned land. On these
occasions, you will not be able to walk across the whole 50 metre search area. But it should
be generally OK to walk up to the public-private land boundary, and look into the private land
only. We are not expecting there to be sites where the owners would be upset by people
looking into their private property, but the judgement and discretion of the birdwatcher
should be used if there is a possibility of disturbing the landholder.
Policy Number:
Date: 3
It is important to remember that each completed individual surveys is a sample from a
particular time and location. The value of the information collected using this survey method
is enhanced by an increased number of samples undertaken.
3. Can I record opportunistic sightings of Swift Parrots or Regent Honeyeaters?
Yes, please do. We are still strongly encouraging all observations of Swift Parrots and Regent
Honeyeaters to be reported to us in the Woodland Birds team – as we will continue to
maintain an annual database of sightings. This includes observations that were made:
Anywhere on mainland Australia at times either inside or outside of the official biannual
survey periods.
At locations that are not within a designated monitoring point
At times that are outside of an official 5-minute survey.
However, the new ―Swift Parrot Search‖ portal in Birdata can only be used to record sightings
made from designated monitoring points using the standard 5min-50m radius method. There
are a range of other ways to let us know of your opportunistic sightings of a Swift Parrot or
Regent Honeyeater outside of a designated monitoring point survey.
1. For Regent Honeyeaters, it is highly valuable for the conservation and protection of the
species that we are made aware of a confirmed or possible sighting as soon as possible.
The best way to do this is by using the toll-free hotline– 1800 621 056.
2. Alternatively, or as well, you can email us at woodlandbirds@birdlife.org.au with the
details of your sighting of a Swift Parrot or Regent Honeyeater. Valuable information to
provide includes time, date, location, observers, number of birds, behaviour, presence of
suitable food resources, colour band locations and your phone contact details.
3. You can lodge your sighting into the General Birdata Survey portal in Birdata where you
will select the survey type that is appropriate for the situation in which you saw the
target birds. Often this will be an ‗incidental‘ survey type, but could also be during a ‘20
minute 2 hectare‖ search, a ―500m area search‖ or one of the other available general
survey type options.
An example using the Birdata website is provided below.
Policy Number:
Date: 4
Policy Number: Date: 5
4. What happens if a Swift Parrot is seen at a monitoring site only after the completion of a 5 minute survey period? Or only before its commencement? This can be very frustrating when it occurs. However, to maintain the scientific rigor of the dataset, please do not add this observation retrospectively to the official 5-minute survey ‗sightings‘ results. Instead lodge this pre-survey or post-survey sighting of a Swift Parrot as a separate Birdata survey using the incidental survey option under the General Birdata Survey portal. The response to Question 3 provides guidance on how to do this. In addition, you may also wish to add an explanatory sentence to the ‗Notes‘ section of the submitted 5-minute ―Swift Parrot Search‖ survey (See example below). 5. Do I have to record other bird species during a ―Swift Parrot Search‖ survey? No, but... It is not essential that you record other bird species during a 5 minute ‗Swift Parrot Search‖ survey – particularly if you think it will reduce your ability to detect any Swifties or Regents that may be present. However, if you can comfortably record other all bird species – and their counts – from within the 50 metre search area without a significant reduction in your ability to detect any Swifties or Regents, then please do so. If you cannot reasonably document all species within the 50 metre search area, then an option is to record all nectar-feeding bird species as a first priority. The nectar feeders (e.g., honeyeaters, wattlebirds, friarbirds, lorikeets) are closely aligned ecologically with Swifties and Regents, and are therefore understanding their occurrence and distribution is more insightful than birds that do not feed on nectar and lerps (e.g., waterbirds, insectivores, birds of prey). Policy Number: Date: 6
If you only document a sample of the total range of bird species, then we encourage you to make a note of this in the details page. You can also uncheck the box indicating that all species were recorded. 6. Do I record birds flying overhead during a ―Swift Parrot Search‖ survey? Yes. If you see Swift Parrots – or any other bird species – flying over or through the circular 50 metre radius search area during a 5 minute count, then it should be counted. The 50 metre radius for the search area only refers to the horizontal distance from the centrepoint. The circular 50 metre radius search area can be considered to extend infinitely in a vertical direction (rather like the shape of a cylinder). Thus, Wedge-tailed Eagle circling high overhead should be recorded if it is considered to be directly above the search area during at least some of the 5 minute search period (even if only for a few seconds). Similarly, a Swift Parrot or other bird flying low through the search area without stopping or perching should also be recorded. Policy Number: Date: 7
7. Can I record Swift Parrots and other birds that were only heard and not seen? Yes. If you can confidently identify the birds by their distinctive vocalisations alone (e.g., kookaburra), then you can record them as part of the survey – assuming that you are also confident that the call came from a bird that was situated within the 50 metre radius search area. You will also need to estimate the number of birds present, based on the calls only – in which case it is better to underestimate the number of birds present rather than overestimate. If you hear Swift Parrots or Regent Honeyeaters, it is highly recommended that you attempt to track down the birds to get more detailed and accurate information – e.g., the number of birds, their behaviour and foraging activity, any coloured leg bands, etc. However, particularly for the Swift Parrot, there may be occasions where the birds are only seen flying rapidly through the site with no opportunity to gather detailed information before they have disappeared. In this latter case, a best estimate of bird numbers will be required. 8. What happens if the 50 metre search area extends into private land? There is no permission for volunteer birdwatchers to enter private land as part of this project. As a volunteer participant, you are only able to enter areas of public land. If you walk onto private land, it may be considered trespassing by the landowner. Therefore, even if you see a Swift Parrot or Regent Honeyeater within a private property, do not enter the property – unless you have explicit permission from the owner beforehand. For every monitoring site, the centrepoint is located on public land. However, for a relatively small proportion of the sites, there broader 50 metre radius search area may encompass some of the adjoining private land. When implementing the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ survey method, it is expected that the birdwatcher will be standing at the centrepoint only, and will arrive and depart from this point via public land. However, if you do need to walk more broadly across the circular search area to confirm the identification of a bird or tree, then it should be generally OK to walk up to the public-private land boundary, and only look into the private land (from the public land side). We are not expecting there to be sites where the owners would be upset by people looking into their private property from the adjoining public land, but the judgement and discretion of the birdwatcher should be used if there is a possibility of disturbing the landholder. Policy Number: Date: 8
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OVERALL SURVEY APPROACH 9. Do I have to use the Birdata app to undertake the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys? No. The Birdata app is the recommended approach for collecting and submitting your Swift Parrot Search sightings, but it is not essential. Datasheets are available for download from the website (https://birdlife.org.au/swift-parrot), and electronic copies ready to be printed can also be requested from your relevant regional coordinator or the BirdLife Australia Woodland Bird team. This datasheet has been designed to collect all of the same information as the app. From the information collected on the datasheet, you can then submit the survey results into the Birdata website. A step-by-step guideline document has been developed to assist you to do this, and it can be downloaded by following this link (click here – coming soon). It is also available from the project website. Alternatively, it is also acceptable for birdwatchers to submit their completed datasheets to us by post (to: Swift Parrot Monitoring, BirdLife Australia, Suite 2-05 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053) or as scanned attachments in an email sent back to us (woodlandbirds@birdlife.org.au). However, as we have limited time and resources for this project, our preference would be for birdwatchers to lodge their own sightings into Birdata if they are able. Policy Number: Date: 9
10. Can I submit my ―Swift Parrot Search‖ results into eBird, iNaturalist, BirdLine
or other data collection apps?
No.
At least in the short term, Birdata is the only app (and website) that has all the required data
collection fields for the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ monitoring program. As noted in response to
Question 9, there is also a paper-based datasheet option for those that are not able to use
Birdata.
11. Can I submit my opportunistic sightings of Swift Parrots and Regent
Honeyeaters into eBird, BirdLine or other online data collection programs?
Yes, but...
For opportunistic sightings of Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters, our preference is that
these are lodged in Birdata. We consider that this will maximise the value of these
observations to provide immediate conservation outcomes. For example, throughout the
whole of Birdata, (a) you will be prompted to provide additional relevant information
whenever you lodge a sighting of a Swift Parrot or Regent Honeyeater, and (b) specialist
ornithologists are immediately notified whenever one of these species is lodged in Birdata.
It also fine to lodge your sightings of these species and other species across multiple
platforms (e.g., a birdwatcher lodges their sighting of a Swift Parrot flock in both their Birdata
and eBird accounts). However, it is notable that the Regent Honeyeater is considered to be a
‗sensitive species‘ in Birdata, and therefore exact sighting locations are ‗hidden‘ from the
general public to minimise the likelihood of disturbance to the bird. Therefore, it will show up
in your personal results, and will only be viewable by you and others that have administrator
rights to Birdata.
BirdLife Australia Woodland Bird team members also regularly undertake a search for
sightings of these two species that may have been lodged in eBird and BirdLine – and then
add them to our annual mainland sightings database where appropriate.
We undertake a limited review of opportunistic sightings lodged solely in Facebook,
iNaturalist and other platforms. Therefore, it is recommended that any sightings lodged in
these other platforms are also separately submitted into Birdata or a direct notification is sent
to a Woodland Bird team member (see response to Question 3 for details on how to do this).
12. Are there particular times of the day that the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys
must be undertaken?
No, but….
Like many woodland birds, Swift Parrots tend to be most active and vocal during the first few
hours after dawn and in the final hour or so leading up to sunset. Accordingly, these are the
times of the day when Swift Parrots tend to be most easily able to be detected by
birdwatchers. Therefore, where possible, surveys should be undertaken at times of the day
when the likelihood of detecting any birds is higher.
NB: For obvious reasons, ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys should only be undertaken during
between dawn to dusk. However, it should also be noted that Swift Parrots are very
occasionally detected in flight between dusk to dawn (e.g., flying to or from roost sites, heard
calling overhead while on migration).
Policy Number:
Date: 1
013. Are there particular weather conditions in which the surveys should be
avoided?
Yes.
Our ability to detect birds diminishes as weather conditions become more ‗extreme‘. Partly
this is due to the reduced ability of the birdwatcher‘s various senses (e.g., sight, hearing) to
detect birds within the canopy of a tree or shrub during high winds and/or heavy rain.
Increasing the level of difficulty, most birds are also less vocal and active during these
conditions. As a result, in poor conditions it is much more difficult to detect either of the
target species, or other birds, that are present at a site.
However, this also does not mean that you need to wait for ‗perfect‘ weather conditions to
undertake surveys. Swift Parrots and other birds are usually still readily detectable during
light to moderate winds, and during rain that is light or intermittent.
Given the birds are present on the mainland during the cooler months (approx. mid-March to
mid-October), it is unlikely that extremely high temperatures will be an issue during surveys.
Extreme cold weather does not necessarily reduce the activity of Swift Parrots and Regent
Honeyeaters. However the birdwatcher must consider their own safety and well-being during
these conditions (e.g., hypothermia and related health risks). The health and safety of the
birdwatchers are more important than continuing surveys in adverse conditions. A copy of the
Risk Assessment for the project can be downloaded from the website.
14. Should the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys only be undertaken during the two
biannual survey periods?
The priority is for as many as the fixed points as possible to be visited during each of the
biannual 6-week survey periods. However, surveys undertaken at other times of the year
(i.e., at the fixed points using the recommended survey method) are far from wasted efforts.
If ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys are undertaken at times of the year when the Swift Parrot is
typically on the mainland (approx. mid-May to mid-October), it is still providing us with useful
information on the occurrence or absence of the species from a particular area and the
flowering patterns.
Surveys undertaken at these points at any time of the year (including when the Swift Parrot
is typically in Tasmania) still provides us with information on other woodland birds, whole-of-
year flowering patterns and may still pick up a Regent Honeyeater or unexpected Swift
Parrot.
But, if you only have a limited capacity to contribute to the Swift Parrot Search surveys
during a year, our preference is that you pre-dominantly undertake these within one or both
of the designated 6-week survey periods. The exact dates will change from year-to-year, but
generally the Round 1 survey will be from the last week in April to the first week in June, and
the Round 2 survey will be from mid-July to late August.
Policy Number:
Date: 1
115. Do I still submit my survey results even if I do not see any Swift Parrots or
Regent Honeyeaters?
Yes please.
It is probable that the majority of the sites that you visit will not have Swift Parrots or Regent
Honeyeaters present. Documenting the absence of the target species from a particular
location is crucial data, and has been largely missing from the previous monitoring approach.
During these visits, you will also be recording information on flowering intensity of potential
feed trees, the occurrence of drinking water and counts for other bird species – each of which
is valuable information to understand why the Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters are not
present. It may also have other useful implications for understanding the ecology and
conservation status of other bird species.
16. Can I continue to undertake searches for Swift Parrot and Regent
Honeyeaters using my traditional approach?
Yes.
We recognise that birdwatchers across south-eastern mainland Australia use a variety of
approaches to successfully detect the presence of Swift Parrots. This includes fixed route
walks, 20 minute-2 hectare surveys, ad-hoc approaches and driving slowly through forests
and woodlands with the windows down while listening for the Swift Parrots distinctive calls.
For some birdwatchers, these methods have been used consistently for many years at the
same locations. If your preference is to continue using these methods to search for Swift
Parrots, this is OK. The information collected will still be useful. Your sightings of Swift Parrots
and other species can be added into Birdata as ‗General Birdata Survey‘, and there are other
ways to let us know as well. However, they are unable to be added into the ―Swift Parrot
Search‖ portal in Birdata, as this has been specifically designed only for the 5 min-50 metre
radius method at fixed monitoring sites. See response to Question 3 for more detailed
information on how to document your Swift Parrot sightings collected from outside of the
Swift Parrot Search monitoring sites.
However, we would also encourage you to trial the new approach to monitoring too. Maybe it
is possible for you to continue searching for the species both using your traditional approach
and also some sites using the revised approach.
Approximately half of the intended sites will be ready in time for Round 1 in 2021. Most of
the remainder are expected to be ready by Round 2 in 2021, but there may also be some
that are not ready until 2022. For the localities where the monitoring points are not yet
established, it is fine (and encouraged) to continue using your traditional search approaches.
Policy Number:
Date: 1
217. Can I survey the same site more than once during a designated 6-week
survey period?
Yes.
Our priority is to see that as many sites as possible are visited at least once during each
survey period. However, if a site is visited more than once in a survey period, this only
strengthens our dataset. The 5 minute count is a rapid sample of the birds present, and so an
increased number of samples leads to an increased confidence in our conclusions.
For example, you may have a particular site – or small cluster of sites – in your favourite
local patch of bush. You can reasonably decide to undertake a survey of these once per week
during the 6-week period.
However, we do request that the same observer does not visit the same site more than one
time per day.
18. Someone else has already recently surveyed my intended site. Can I survey
it again?
Yes.
Similar to the response to Question 17, it is fine for the same monitoring point to be visited
on more than one occasion during the same survey period. Preferably there would not be two
surveyed on the same day, but there is no problem if this occurs by chance.
QUESTIONS ABOUT PLANT SPECIES AND FLOWERING INTENSITY
19. Do I have to record tree and mistletoe flowering?
No, but...
We encourage you to record the flowering intensity of the tree and mistletoe species
occurring within each site – which will often include a rating of ―None‖ when no specimens of
within the search area are flowering at all. This information will be invaluable when we
analyse the movements of Swifties, Regents and other nectar feeders across space and time.
However, if documenting flowering intensity goes beyond your comfort zone, then you can
continue to undertake the ―Swift Parrot Search‖ surveys without recording this information.
Similarly, the flowering intensity information is intended as a rapid assessment. Once you‘ve
got your eye in for the local eucalypt identification, it should not take more than 2-3 minutes
to complete the flowering assessment at each site.
Policy Number:
Date: 1
320. What if I am unable to identify a tree or mistletoe species?
Once you have lodged the survey ‗location‘ details into Birdata, the tree and mistletoe known
to occur at that particular site will be pre-loaded into the ‗details‘ page. This will greatly
reduce the number of trees and mistletoe species that you need to choose from.
Over time, user guides will be prepared for each cluster of sites within a locality. These user
guides will:
- Identify the tree and mistletoe species known to occur at each site, and whether they
are considered to be a dominant or minor component of the canopy.
- Have a guide to the identification of the tree and mistletoe species known to occur in
the locality.
Policy Number:
Date: 1
4This information will also be made available in the Shared Site description for each
monitoring site. An example of the information provided for each site is displayed below.
When BirdLife and ANU staff were first establishing these monitoring points, there were semi-
regular occasions when it was not possible to accurately determine the identification of a tree
species to species-level. In these cases, the trees have been labelled using a broader
category such as Gum sp., Ironbark sp., Box sp. and even Eucalyptus sp. These
categories are more commonly used in peri-urban areas where the search area includes
planted eucalypts that are not indigenous to the area.
Due to the widespread challenges in the identification of stringybark eucalypts – and their
typically low value for Swift Parrots – these have all been categorised as Stringybark sp.
Policy Number:
Date: 1
5Even for experts, it can be difficult to quickly and accurately identify eucalypts if there are no
fruits or distinctive leaves present (e.g., juvenile leaves are often a good characteristic to
distinguish between similar species). In these cases, if you have two or more pre-loaded
options to choose from, you may instead decide to add in a new broader category with a
flowering rating. In the two step example below, Grey Box and Yellow Box have been
identified as present within a search area, but the user has instead decided to not provide
any rating for either of these and gave a ‗low‘ flowering rating to a new Box sp.
Policy Number:
Date: 1
6Similarly, if you have skills in plant ID, add in the more accurate name if you know what it is.
You can add this into the notes and/or as an additional plant species. The BirdLife ecologists
will then make the changes to Birdata so that the appropriate species are listed for future
surveys.
Conversely, if there are no flowers at all within the search area for any species, you can
immediately rate all of the pre-loaded tree and mistletoe options as ―NONE‖ – even if you are
not able to identify all of them immediately.
21. What if I cannot find one of the tree species that has been pre-determined
as occurring at a site?
For some species, there are only a small number of specimens within the circular 50m search
area – and sometimes even only 1 specimen. These could be tricky to detect as part of a
rapid assessment, especially if they are similar to other more common species. Similarly, it is
possible that some trees or mistletoe that were present at the time of the site set-up have
since died – or fallen down. (There is also a possibility of occasional mis-identification of
plants during the site setup).
In these situations outlined above, it is fine to leave the flowering intensity for these trees
and mistletoe species in the default setting (that is, ―SELECT INTENSITY‖).
Conversely, if there are no flowers at all within the search area for any tree or mistletoe
species, you can immediately rate all of the pre-loaded tree and mistletoe options as a
flowering intensity of ―NONE‖ – even if you are not able to find or identify all of them
immediately.
Policy Number:
Date: 1
722. What if I find a tree species at a site that isn‘t provided as an option?
When BirdLife and ANU staff were first establishing these monitoring points, there have been
semi-regular occasions when it was not possible to accurately determine the identification of
a tree species to species-level. In these cases, the trees have been labelled using a broader
category such as Gum sp., Ironbark sp., Box sp. and even Eucalyptus sp. These
categories are more commonly used in peri-urban areas where the search area includes
planted eucalypts that are not indigenous to the area.
If you come across these examples, and you are able to accurately identify the species down
to species-level, then (a) leave the broader species category with the default flowering
intensity rating (that is, ―SELECT INTENSITY‖), and (b) add a new row with the accurate
species name and flowering intensity. You may also wish to add in a note to the details page.
Pre-loaded species grouping
Newly added by volunteer.
Similarly, it is also possible that occasional tree and mistletoe species may have been missed
during the site set-up process. In these cases, it is fine to add in the additional row.
Newly added
Policy Number:
Date: 1
8QUESTIONS ABOUT SURVEY LOCATIONS
23. Can I propose a new designated Swift Parrot Search survey point?
Yes please!
If you are aware of an area of suitable habitat which is historically known to be used by the
target species, or could potentially be used by them, please let us know. We have a
spreadsheet of future suitable locations to be assessed and added. We will then endeavour to
undertake a ground-truthing assessment of the proposed site, and collect all of the relevant
details, prior to the next survey period.
Email us with the details of the proposed location, preferably including a photo or two and the
mapping coordinates for the centrepoint.
Ideally, any new proposed survey sites would meet the following criteria:
No closer than 250 metres from the next nearest survey point. (Alternatively, you may
recommend that an existing point is moved to a more appropriate location nearby).
The centrepoint of the site is on public land.
To reach the centrepoint does not involve a walk of more than 100 metres away from the
nearest road or walking track.
If conditions are mild (e.g., no recent heavy or prolonged rainfall), then the site can be
reached without the need of a 4WD vehicle.
The search area does not include urban gardens, land used for a primary school or
secondary school, alongside a busy roads or other sensitive locations that are (a)
somewhere where the presence of a person with binoculars may be negatively
misconstrued by a member of the public, and/or (b) where is unsafe or dangerous for the
birdwatcher to be there.
24. Do I have to engage with a regional coordinator before undertaking a ―Swift
Parrot Search‖ survey?
No.
To maximise the coverage of all locations, it is encouraged that you make contact with your
local regional coordinator beforehand, but not essential. The system has been established so
that the regional coordinator adds value to the process, but are not critical. There are also
some localities that are not yet covered by regional coordinators.
Regional coordinators aim to have most of the survey points in their area visited at least once
during each survey period. If you do decide to make contact with a regional coordinator,
they may be able to allocate a set of monitoring sites to you as a one-off (e.g., if you are a
visiting an area for a single occasion), or on an on-going basis (e.g., if you are a resident or
regular visitor to the area).
It is possible that the regional coordinators may already have all of their local sites covered
by volunteers. In this case, they may be able to direct you to sites that would benefit from
having multiple visits during a survey period. Alternatively, you may then decide to offer your
assistance elsewhere within another locality that is not currently covered by birdwatchers.
The BirdLife Australia Woodland Birds team can help direct you towards these under-
resourced localities.
Policy Number:
Date: 1
925. Can I undertake searches for the target species while travelling between
designated monitoring points?
Yes.
We have not established a standard protocol for monitoring for Swift Parrots and other birds
when travelling between monitoring points on foot, in a vehicle or by other means. However,
if you can safely keep an eye and ear out during this transition between sites, please do so.
Any successful sightings could be added into Birdata as a ‗General Birdata Survey‖. See
response to Question 3 for more detailed information on how to document your Swift Parrot
sightings collected from outside of the designated Swift Parrot Search monitoring sites.
26. Can ‗Swift Parrot Searches‘ be undertaken in Tasmania?
No.
At present, we have received funding support for the establishment of monitoring points on
mainland Australia. In future years, it is possible that additional sites may be added within
the Tasmanian distribution and habitats for the Swift Parrot.
27. What do I do if I cannot reach a monitoring point due to access issues?
There are a range of reasons why you may not be able to reach the centrepoint of a
monitoring site – e.g., flooded or damaged access tracks, fallen trees or branches, temporary
road closures, etc. If there are no other reasonable routes to reach the site by vehicle, and it
is also too far or unsuitable to walk there from the nearest accessible location (e.g., more
than 200 metres away), then it is completely fine to leave this site as unsurveyed.
QUESTIONS ABOUT RECORDING WATER WITHIN SEARCH AREA
28. Do I have to record the presence of water within the search area?
No, but...
Like the measurements of flowering intensity, it is not essential to document the presence or
absence of open freshwater at the time of survey within the circular 50 metre search area.
However, it is encouraged, as it is important piece of information about the possible triggers
for the movements and distribution of Swift Parrots, Regent Honeyeaters and other birds.
29. What is considered to constitute the ‗presence of water‘ within the search
area?
For the purposes of the ―Swift Parrot Search‖, water is considered to be present within the
circular 50 metre radius search area, if there is a source of freshwater that could potentially
be used for drinking by Swift Parrots, Regent Honeyeaters and other woodland birds. This
could include:
- Flowing rivers, creeks and other ephemeral waterways (both natural and artificial)
- Waterways that have been reduced to a series of disconnected ponds of water
Policy Number:
Date: 2
0- Artificial waterbodies (e.g., dams)
- Natural wetlands
- Temporary puddles and pools (e.g., within a pothole in the road)
- Bird baths, water troughs and other constructed water vessels
You should also only answer yes to this question if there is actual water present at the time
of the survey. If waterbodies, creeks and other potential water storage vessels are all
completely dry at the time of survey, then the answer should be ‗no‘. Similarly, the presence
of ‗dew‘ on leaves and other foliage at the time of survey is not considered to compromise
the presence of water – and if this is the only source present, then you should answer ‗no‘ to
this question.
Policy Number:
Date: 2
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