COG bird record collecting
ACT bird records have been collected by individuals since the days of the early settlements. Recording took on a new lease of life with the formation of the ACT Branch of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Group in 1964 (Canberra Ornithologists Group from 1970 onwards), and with its publication of annual bird reports. 1986-1989 saw the data collection period for the ACT Bird Atlas; there have also been surges in recording activity associated with Birds Australia’s ongoing Atlases and with specific COG projects such as the Woodland Survey, the Garden Bird Survey and the Waterbird Survey. Because we have systematic records of the avifauna in the ACT and surrounds over such a period, COG has a reasonably accurate picture of local birds, and is well-placed to detect the changes in species and numbers that are occurring as a result of habitat and climate change. Continued monitoring is essential, however, so that we are in a position to provide up-to-date information to government and its agencies on request.
COG’s area of interest
COG accepts bird records from the ACT and a broad area of interest, encompassing Yass and Burrinjuck Dam in the north-west to just short of Goulburn in the north-east, Adaminaby in the south-west and Bungendore, Captains Flat and Lake Bathurst in the east. The area is bordered by parallels of latitude 34° 45’ and 36° 00’ S and meridians of longitude 148° 40’ and 149° 45’ E. For precision in recording, we have divided this area into 2.5 minute grid cells, numbered from A1 in the north-west to Z30 in the south-east. There is a map on the COG website www.canberrabirds.org.au (click here to open the map in a new window ) and it is published annually in COG’s annual bird report.
Survey types
Individual COG members can add to the record of birds in the COG area of interest in various ways. They may undertake Garden Bird Surveys (contact the coordinator Martin Butterfield on martinflab@gmail.com) or general ad hoc surveys or repeat surveys of a given area. COG exchanges bird date with Birds Australia so please do not submit the same records to both organizations.
There are three broad general survey types: two hectare searches; area searches; and incidental records.
Submitting records
COG accepts records in hard copy and electronically. Paper ‘COG Observation Record' forms and ‘COG Incidental Record' forms are available at COG meetings, or from the COG secretary (cogoffice@canberrabirds.org.au) or can be downloaded from the COG website www.canberrabirds.org.au under ‘maps, forms & lists'. When you have completed your paper forms, drop them in the red box at meetings, or mail to COG Records Officer, PO Box 301, Civic Square ACT 2608. If you want to submit your records electronically, request a COG code and a password from the database manager Paul Fennell (ptf@grapevine.com.au) and you will be given instructions.
Completing the record forms
Most sections are self-explanatory.
COG code First time users will not have one. Just submit paper records with the space empty – the Records Officer will then give you your code for future use. For electronic entries, request a code from the database manager Paul Fennell ptf@grapevine.com.au.
Observer number This is a Birds Australia number, if you have one. Otherwise leave blank.
Time Use 24 hr clock – i.e. for 1 pm use 13.00 not 1.00
COG grid cell Can be worked out in various ways. Grid cells comprise 2.5 minutes of latitude and longitude – so grid cell A1 is bounded by latitudes 34° 45’ 00’’ and 34° 47’ 30’’, and longitudes 148° 40’ 00’’ and 148° 42’ 30’’. And so on. A chart on the COG website will assist you; we also have a large map on display at meetings with grids marked on it. If you still aren’t sure, put in a paper record with the box unmarked, and one of the data checkers will complete it and let you know.
Location Be precise please. Not ‘Mulligans Flat’ which covers part of three grid cells, but ‘Big dam area’/ ‘shearing yards’/’bird sites 6-7, Mulligans Flat’.
Habitat Is optional and need only be completed if there are distinct changes since you surveyed the area previously, or if you are surveying an infrequently surveyed spot.
Breeding Please use only the breeding codes listed; use the ‘additional notes’ section for further comments on breeding.
Abundance Write or key in the exact number of each species you have seen, or a best estimate. Do NOT just check for ‘presence’ or give a range.
Bird species not on the list Write in, in the blank spaces provided, complete an ‘unusual bird report’ (form available at meetings or from the website) and submit it with the original observation record sheet. Unusual bird reports can be completed electronically and submitted to rarities@canberrabirds.org.au. The secretary of the rarities panel will contact you in due course about your observation.
And finally Please check your record carefully before you submit it – even the experts make mistakes.
Submitting the record forms
Paper forms can be placed in the red box at meetings, or posted to COG Records Officer, PO Box 301, Civic Square ACT 2608.
Follow-up
If a data checker has difficulties reading your observation record form or has queries about its contents, you may be phoned or get an email, asking for clarification. Please assist us by responding.
Analysis of the data
COG publishes an annual bird report, summarising the year’s observations. So make sure yours are included!