Surveys

BOCA branches and members are currently (or have been) involved in a number of surveys of the birds on both public and private land. By regularly counting the number of species and observing the abundance of each species (usually monthly or quarterly) in an area we can perform a valuable service, both in terms of gaining knowledge of the seasonal and long term trends in the bird population and also in providing evidence of the value of the area for conservation purposes.

Several of the early BOCA surveys have been published in the BOCA Reports, such as:

• Melbourne City Bird Watch 1959-1996
• BOCA Birds and Gardens Survey 1991
• Birds of Cranbourne Botanic Garden Victoria 1989-1992
• The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Survey 1983-1988

Surveys that are currently being undertaken include:

• Western Port Survey

This is an ongoing survey of the waders and waterbirds in Western Port Bay. The first thirty years of this survey has been published as Wings over Western Port

• Yellingbo

This survey takes place on the first Sunday of every month at the Yellingbo Reserve east of Melbourne.
It is in the last remaining territory of the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater, Victoria's State bird emblem, although most birds are in area that is off-limits to enhance their chances of breeding.

• Western Woodlands

This a recently established quarterly survey of 3 areas of private Grey Box woodland to the west of Melbourne.

If you wish to join any of these surveys, please contact BOCA.

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