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Thanks very much for your interest in being involved in BirdLife’s Great Western Woodlands project!

The Great Western Woodlands (GWW) is the largest intact Mediterranean woodland on Earth. In the past it has been relatively poorly surveyed for birds, with some areas having few, if any, bird surveys, particularly in the eastern half of the region. BirdLife Australia is partnering with The Nature Conservancy to establish a long-term monitoring project in the woodlands to assess population status, movements and key resources for bird species in the region, to better inform conservation and management of this significant ecosystem. In order to achieve this, we are conducting systematic bird surveys in each season from 2012 to 2014 to establish reliable baseline information on the birds of this unique region.

About the seasonal surveys

• The surveys consist of small groups of people who travel together, camp together and do bird surveys in the GWW;

• Unless otherwise agreed, survey groups have at least 2 vehicles but no more than 4 vehicles;

• Each group has a leader who ensures all participants are safe, and coordinates the bird surveys in their area;

• Bird surveys are carried out primarily in locations specified by the project coordinator, but also opportunistically during your travels;

Birds in the Great Western Woodlands Project

Location of the Great Western Woodlands

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• In the event of rain in the week or two beforehand, some tracks might not be navigable and a survey area might not be accessible. Please contact Shapelle if you are unsure about access in your area;

• In hot weather, in Summer or early Autumn, surveys in some areas might be cancelled if fire weather warnings indicate that those areas are potentially at high risk of wildfire;

• Because of the distances involved, a small fuel subsidy of $50 - $150 (dependent on distance travelled – contact Shapelle for more information) will be paid AFTER the survey as a BP fuel card that is redeemable at BP service stations. To get the fuel subsidy:

o The fuel subsidy will only be paid to the driver or vehicle owner.

o At least one person in the vehicle must be actively participating in bird surveys over the period of the survey.

o Atlas methods (including 2-hectare 20 minute surveys) must be used to survey birds.

o A number of bird surveys have to be done each day (we need a sample of surveys across the areas you visit).

o You must return the bird survey (Atlas) forms to Shapelle McNee at the end of your trip.

o Once Shapelle receives the Atlas forms, she will post the fuel card to you.

• Each season’s ‘core’ dates for the survey will be advertised to enable group leaders and participants to be matched up. However, survey dates are flexible and you can conduct surveys for a longer or shorter period, or at another time during the season if preferred.

The Bird Surveys

• The bird surveys will use the Atlas methods. These are:

o 2 hectare surveys for 20 minutes;

o Area searches within a radius of 500 metres (for any period);

o Incidental surveys of single species of interest or a single group of birds such as waterbirds;

o 2 hectare surveys can be embedded within an area search (It’s not difficult to do and some birdwatchers find this adds greatly to their enjoyment of the surveys)

o For more information, see the attached Atlas information.

• Please complete 2ha surveys for 20 minutes at each of the fixed survey sites provided by the project coordinator.

• Try to do at least 5 or 6 two hectare surveys each day (more is better).

• If you are doing bird surveys with more than 2 people, and you have at least two experienced observers:

o Separate your group into two or more small survey parties with a more experienced

Photo: Cheryl Gole

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observer in each.

o Ask each group to do a single 2 hectare survey for 20 minutes.

o Separate the 2 hectare sites by at least 400m.

o One suggestion is that you can ‘leapfrog’ vehicles along a section of track, choosing survey sites at intervals of some kilometres or whatever suits your travel arrangements. Remember to stop in different vegetation types (eg choose some woodland, some mallee, some shrubland types).

o Include your campsite as a 500 metre area search for the duration of your stay in the camp: that way, you can include any night birds you see or hear.

• For each survey, we ask that you take photographs of the site at the GPS coordinates.

• For each survey, we also ask that you identify any flowering and fruiting that is taking place within the survey area using the included Flowering Assessment sheets.

• For all surveys count the number of birds you see for each species, and record the number of individual birds present next to their name on the Atlas form.

• Area searches can be conducted at your camp site each night. This helps to gather information on nocturnal birds and is a great way of recording the birds you hear in the dawn chorus.

• If you don’t see any birds during your survey this is very important information. Complete an Atlas form and write ‘nil birds’ in the comments section.

• If you spotlight for birds at night (for night birds) record birds seen on an Incidental search.

• If you are choosing a map datum for your GPS, choose GDA. If you use another datum, that’s fine but remember to record it on the Atlas form.

• Atlas forms can be filled out on the trip or immediately after your return, and returned to Shapelle McNee. Post or deliver them to 167 Perry Lakes Drive, Floreat 6014. Your fuel subsidy will be made available after the forms are returned to Shapelle, but they must include a reasonable number of surveys and some of the surveys must be 2 hectare surveys.

• If you would prefer to enter your data online through Birdata please let Shapelle know.

• If you see a species that you think is highly unusual, rare for the area or is out of range, please take a photo or write some notes about it as we are likely to need additional information about the sighting. This makes sure that our records are of the highest possible standard. Please complete an Unusual Record Report Form one for all highly unusual records.

The survey areas

The Great Western Woodlands is very large, and the survey trips cannot aim to cover more than a small fraction of the area. For research reasons, we prefer that you and the people travelling with you choose one of the survey areas described below, however you are welcome to discuss with Shapelle any additional areas you would like to visit. Please place your first and second preference on the participant’s questionnaire and we will allocate from there, taking into account the number of leaders we have and

Photo: Ben Pearce

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people’s preferences to visit particular locations.

As the whole region is very large, there will NOT be a central meeting place for all groups. Rather, groups will agree on their own starting/meeting place and will agree on their own campsites.

Survey Area descriptions:

Survey area

Survey area description Access Facilities Comments

Cave Hill area

The core survey area includes McDermid Rock, Norseman-Hyden Road, Victoria Rock Road, Victoria Rock & Cave Hill. Other tracks in the area can also be surveyed opportunistically.

4WD McDermid Rock suitable for a group and can be accessed with small caravans. Camp sites, tables, toilets. Cave Hill & Victoria Rock also have camp sites, tables, toilets

Suitable for trailers and small caravans.

Credo Station

Bird survey sites have been set up at Credo station and in association with CSIRO’s Ozflux tower. The nearby Rowles Lagoon is a large freshwater lake

2WD to station, 4WD to survey sites

Homestead, shearing shed and new field centre at Credo. Need to book through DEC. Rowles Lagoon – tables, bbq, toilets, camp sites. Suitable for large groups

Suitable for trailers and caravans

Location of survey areas in the Great Western Woodlands

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Survey area

Survey area description Access Facilities Comments

Dundas Nature Reserve

Following the old coach road through Dundas Nature Reserve between Norseman and Balladonia (south of Eyre Hwy)

4WD No designated camp sites.

Necessary to pack up camp and move each night. Suitable for trailers.

Frank Hann/Peak Charles National Parks

Survey sites are located along the Lake King Norseman Rd and within Peak Charles National Park.

4WD No designated camp sites in Frank Hann. Camp sites and toilet at Peak Charles.

Suitable for trailers and small caravans

Fraser Range Station

Fraser Range station, 100km east of Norseman along Eyre Hwy.

2WD to station, 4WD to survey sites

Caravan Park and accommodation at Fraser Range Station. Fees apply.

Suitable for trailers and caravans

Helena and Aurora Range

Loop track between Koolyanobbing, north to Bungalbin Hill and Pittosporum Rock, then south to Jaurdi Station and Ryans Find Rd.

4WD No designated camp sites along track. Some facilities at the old homestead at Jaurdi Station

Preferable to pack up camp and move each night. Not suitable for trailers or caravans.

Jilbadji Nature Reserve

South and south-east of Marvel Loch to the Holland Track and continuing south to Lake Cronin.

4WD No designated camp sites. No camping allowed at Lake Cronin

Not suitable for caravans

Karroun Hill North of Beacon, travelling around the edge of the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve and along part of the State Barrier fence.

4WD No designated camp sites Necessary to pack up camp and move each night. Permits required to drive along the State Barrier fence

Trans Railway line

Following the the trans railway line between Kalgoorlie and Kitchener.

4WD No designated camp sites.

Necessary to pack up camp and move each night.

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What to bring with you

• High clearance vehicle: 4WD or AWD suitable for unsealed tracks. Some tracks will not be suitable for low clearance sedans.

• Camper trailer/tent or vehicle-based camping gear. Not all areas are suitable for caravans.

• Supplies so that you are self-sufficient for fuel, food and water for the duration of the trip.

• Basic emergency car repair gear, including spare tyres (two recommended).

• First aid kit.

• Personal gear, including all weather protection (hat, sunscreen), boots or closed in shoes; long pants and long-sleeved shirts and broad-brimmed hats preferred.

• All those goodies you can’t camp without (red wine, chocolate ...).

• Satellite phone and GPS (including chargers/batteries) (both can be borrowed from Shapelle)

• EPIRB and mobile phone (including chargers/batteries) if you have them.

• UHF communication equipment if you are travelling with a group.

• Camera.

• Binoculars, notebook and pen/pencil, bird field guides.

• Atlas survey forms (Shapelle will send them to leaders).

• Maps (a map or maps of the survey area will be provided to each leader). The WA Travellers Atlas and the WA Country Roads Directory show major roads and tracks in the area and you might find them useful for general access. Bring them if you have them. Hema’s Great Desert Tracks covers the Trans Line, although at a large scale. If you have topographic maps (1: 250,000 scale) of the area you are visiting, bring them along. We will provide laminated topo maps that show the boundaries of the GWW; these belong to the project and need to be returned to Shapelle after the trip.

Travelling and camping in the Great Western Woodlands

The Great Western Woodlands project aims to provide information that better protects and manages the conservation values of this amazing area. We must do our bit to protect it:

• Drive only on tracks

• Don’t drive over vegetation if you can avoid it

• Don’t drive over granite outcrops

Photo: Chris Tzaros

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• Avoid driving on wet tracks; wait for them to dry out

• When choosing a campsite, choose a clear area where you can get your vehicles and camping trailers or tents off the road

• Conserve wood on the ground: if lighting fires for cooking or warmth, only use the amount of wood you need

• Watch campfire safety. Don’t light a fire in high wind; maintain a cleared area around your fire; make sure your fire is out before you leave your campsite. Fire bans for the Great Western Woodlands shires occur over summer (typically December – March).

• Fire weather warnings are issued for some key areas of the GWW in summer during times of high temperature and high wind conditions. If a fire weather warning is in place for your planned survey area, your survey will be cancelled (Shapelle will advise)

• Take your rubbish home with you: if you carry it in, carry it out

• Allow your fellow campers and the environment clean air: burn paper and cardboard only; take all plastics, waxed and plasticised wrappings, meat trays, bottles and cans home with you or dispose of them in community waste bins on your way home. Hint: you can wash potentially smelly things like meat trays in your leftover washing up water and leave them to dry overnight.

• Bury human waste deep and consider burning your toilet paper (dingoes are great diggers)

• Do not bury sanitary napkins etc: take plastic bags and newspaper with you, wrap them securely and keep them in your rubbish (dingoes are great diggers)

Safety

Travelling in remote areas means that we have to take particular care about personal safety and the safety of the people we travel with. Please read the following before heading out to the GWW:

• Fire weather warnings are issued for all fire districts in the GWW in summer and early Autumn, during times of high temperature and high wind conditions. Information can be obtained from the FESA website: www.dfes.wa.gov.au/firedangerratings. GWW surveys will not go ahead when fire warnings are in place and thus surveys may need to be postponed at short notice. Liz will be in contact with group leaders in the days before the summer and autumn seasonal surveys to discuss potential fire warnings and agree on a way in which we can communicate fire weather warnings.

• No survey group is to consist of only one vehicle without prior agreement. Agreement will only be given where participants are highly experienced in remote area travel and have with them appropriate communication equipment. In addition, daily contact will be made with an agreed person.

• Each survey group must have communication equipment consisting of a minimum of satellite phone or HF radio. A satellite phone can be borrowed from the project coordinator (all personal calls not related to safety will be charged to participants).

Photo: Martin Gole

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• GPS and handheld UHF radios can be borrowed from the project coordinator.

• All participants of the seasonal group surveys must complete and sign a Volunteer Registration Form.

• Many dirt tracks are unnavigable after rain. Main Roads and the local shire can provide information about road closures:

o www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

Photographs & Trip Reports

Are you a good photographer? If so, please take photographs of the GWW and share them with us for the project. Photos of people/activities/birds/animals and the GWW itself are very welcome. If we use your photos they will be credited.

Trip reports are very useful for informing future participants about the survey areas including any access issues, nice camp spots, and where particular bird species can be found. Please consider providing a short trip report to Shapelle at the completion of your survey.

More information Shapelle McNee, GWW Project Officer E gww@birdlife.org.au T 0439 668 693 or (08)9287 2716

Shire Boundaries in the Great Western Woodlands