BIRD POPULATION MONITORING BirdLife Botswana (BLB) Global Environment Facility Small Grant Programme (GEF SGP) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)  

THE MAIN AIMS OF BIRD POPULATION MONITORING To provide information on year-to-year and longer-term changes in population in Botswana. To promote a greater understanding of the population of birds and factors responsible for declines. To promote bird conservation through the involvement of large numbers of volunteer.

WHICH SQUARE SHOULD I SURVEY? Information is provided on areas to be surveyed. Sites have been chosen according to a formal sampling strategy to cover all habitats and regions. Cover the site that is allocated to you. If survey work is impossible ,report for replacement of site.

FINDING AND MARKING A ROUTE Create your own transect route based on the information and coordinates provided. Point count transect Covering app 2.0km. 11 counting points ,200m apart Mark each points by GPS or landmarks

WHEN TO VISIT Surveyed twice a year-Nov & Feb Time-ideal start 07h00 finish 11h00 Keep the starting times and dates similar within and across years.

WEATHER Do not carry surveys in heavy rain, poor visibility or strong wind Record weather conditions in the boxes (Cloud cover,Rain,Wind,Visibility) Select a single weather category that best represents the overall conditions

THREATS TO YOUR SITE Use general local knowledge of the site and/or area to provide information Timing:0-3 Scope:0-3 Severity:0-3

RECORDING BIRDS Record all the birds seen or heard at each point. Do not record birds when moving the 200m between points Start counting immediately for 5min Observe a bird you do not know identify afterwards All counts should be done consistently Use standard species names Average visit should last around 2 hours

DATA COLLECTION Tel/Fax-3190540 P O Box 26691,Gamecity Gaborone education@birdlifebotswana.org.bw blb@birdlifebotswana.org.bw Enjoy your count Every count counts Thank you