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– Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group. Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa – Training Course –. 2015.
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– Module 7 – How to estimate the size of a large group Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa – Training Course – 2015
This training course is one of the tools of:Hecker N., 2015. Identifying and Counting Waterbirds in Africa: A toolkit for trainers - Sub-Saharan Africa. ONCFS, Hirundo-FT2E. France Designed and written by Nathalie Heckernat.hecker@yahoo.fr Photographs Steve Garviewww.pbase.com/rainbirder Illustrations Cyril Girard girardcyril3335@neuf.fr, www.cyrilgirard.fr Translation Rachel Wakehammoosekeeper77@hotmail.com Richard Lansdownrlansdown@ardeola.demon.co.uk
Presenting the Module • Technical explanations Indoor exercises Fieldwork
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
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
Estimating a single-species group Stages of estimating • Estimate the overall size of the group • Choose the “block” size to be covered (about 10% of the overall size) • Discern differences in density and distribution within a group • Quickly apply the “block” method when birds are in flight
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
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
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
Estimating a multi-species group Indoor exercise: Estimating two different sized species Procedure: working alone and in groups • Trainees should estimate the numbers of each species within a limited time • They should calculate the error percentage of the result • They should comment on the result and error
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!
