Counters and sightings wanted for Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Annual Count

BirdLife Australia and the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Recovery Team are urging the public to get involved in this year’s annual count for the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, which will be held on Saturday 3 May 2014.

Photo: Steve Bourne

“Each year we rely on a wonderful team of volunteers to help search for the cockatoos in stringybark habitats across their range in the South East of South Australia and South West Victoria,” said Bronwyn Perryman, Project Coordinator of the Recovery Program.

Volunteers who register for the count will be allocated an area in stringybark forest, where they can drive along forest tracks and stop to listen for the birds’ distinctive calls. “We are also encouraging landholders with stringybark on their property to join in the fun and register to search their own land on the day,” continued Bronwyn.

Search areas are scattered from Keith to Mount Gambier in South Australia and Nelson to Little Desert National Park in Victoria. You can request a particular area to search when you register, or nominate to search your own property.

Our only recommendation is that you travel in a 4WD, as most sites contain at least some sandy or muddy tracks, but if you are in a 2WD, let us know when you register and we’ll find a suitable site for you.

For those new to the count or would like some more information on how to search for Red-tails we will again be holding an annual count training session in Casterton on the morning of the count, starting at 9:00 am (local time) for a quick chat, followed by a short drive to a spot where Red-tails have been seen recently.

The success of the count relies heavily on sighting information we receive in the lead up to the count. “We need as many sightings as possible over the next three weeks so that we can strategically place volunteers in areas where birds are currently known to be feeding. This will help maximise the number of birds counted on Saturday 3 May.”

If you see Red-tails from now on please report all sightings to 1800 262 062 or email redtail@birdlife.org.au.

Last year 1118 cockatoos were counted by our team of volunteers. “The Recovery Team values the incredible effort of all our volunteers, many of whom return year after year from as far away as Melbourne and Adelaide to search for the birds in their favourite haunts,” said Bronwyn.

Although we can’t guarantee you’ll see a Red-tail on the day, we’re sure you’ll enjoy a fun day out in the bush searching for these charismatic cockatoos.

If you would like to register for the count please contact Bronwyn Perryman on 1800 262 062 or email redtail@birdlife.org.au.