Black Cockatoo Surveys - Volunteers Required and Training Available

If you’re keen on helping with this year’s Great Cocky Count and weekly black cockatoo surveys please attend this training session (3rd April) and register your availability. Lots of trained volunteers are required to survey sites across Murdoch University’s South Street and Peel campuses for overnight roosting by Carnaby’s (and Forest Red-tailed) Black Cockatoos at sunset on Sundays and/or sunrise on Mondays from 7th April to 13th May.

Volunteers are needed to help with black cockatoo surveys on campus, including the Great Cocky Count on Sunday 7^th April.  The weekly surveys will count black cockatoos at their roost sites, from the 7^th April to the 13^th May: Sundays at dusk (5.10-7.00pm) and/or Mondays at dawn (5.50-7.30am).  Students can register their volunteer time towards the 40 hours required for their Development Transcript (‘Environmental Management’ program).

The surveys will be part of Murdoch University’s annual black cockatoo monitoring that’s used to guide campus planning and habitat protection.  Data is also provided to government departments to inform their research on these endangered species.  It’s important that all survey volunteers are adequately trained.  Training will be conducted on Wednesday 3^rd April from 4.30-5.30pm in Loneragan Building room 3.010 at Murdoch University’s South Street campus.  A presentation by Tamara Kabat, BirdLife Australia, will be followed by a brief trial count on Bush Court until 6.00pm.

To RSVP or register your availability contact the Biodiversity Grants Officer on 9360 6153 or n.goldsborough@murdoch.edu.au.