– Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa – Training Course – 1

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group 2 Authors Revised and designed in 2012 by: Nathalie Hecker Designed and written in 2001 by: Nathalie Hecker & Marc Lutz Photographs Steve Garvie Illustrations Cyril Girard Translation Rachel Wakeham This training course is one of the tools of : Hecker N., Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa – A toolkit for trainers. ONCFS, Hirundo-FT2E. France

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Presenting the Module Technical explanations Indoor exercises Fieldwork 3

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group How to count waterbirds Knowing how to count waterbirds is: Knowing when to count and when to estimate Knowing how to count a small group of birds Knowing how to estimate a large group 4

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group Learning objectives of the Module At the end of this Module you will be able to: Make an initial overall estimate of a group of birds Immediately choose the size of the “block” to be recorded Distinguish differences in density within the group of birds Quickly apply the “block” method 5

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group Stages of estimating 1.Estimate the overall size of the group 2.Choose the “block” size to be covered (about 10% of the overall size) 3.Discern differences in density and distribution within a group 4.Quickly apply the “block” method when birds are in flight 6

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Example for estimating a single-species group 7

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group Indoor exercise Procedure: working in pairs 1. Make an overall estimate 2. Choose the block size (10% of the total size) 3. “Cut” the flock of birds into blocks 4. Make a final estimate of the group size 8

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 9

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 10

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 11

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 12

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 13

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 14

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 15

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 16

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 17

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 18

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 19

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 20

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group 21

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a single-species group Fieldwork practice Regular training is important Groups that are easy to see and which are not very mobile should be chosen first, such as Greater Flamingos at rest, duck roosts, or Cattle Egret roosts It is possible to practice using “material” other than waterbirds, even away from the wetland 22

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group Learning objectives of the Module At the end of this Module you will be able to: Estimate numbers of different species within a group of birds Assess the risk of overestimating or underestimating 23

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group Indoor exercise: Estimating two different sized species Procedure: working alone and in groups 1.Trainees should estimate the numbers of each species within a limited time 2.They should calculate the error percentage of the result 3.They should comment on the result and error 24

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group 25

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group 26

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group 27

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group 28

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group 29

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group 30

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Estimating a multi-species group Fieldwork Any multi-species group found outdoors can be used for training Groups which are easy to see and not very mobile should be chosen at first, such as roosts of different species of ducks, Ardeidae roosts with Cattle Egrets and herons, and so on Move on to groups of ducks or waders in flight Regular practice is vital! 31

Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group 32 Thanks for your attention!