Cocky counters needed from Geraldton to Esperance

The Great Cocky Count is on again and this year more volunteers are needed to help in a cockatoo census across the entire range of the endangered bird.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion said volunteers were being asked this year to stake out Carnaby's black cockatoo night roost sites from Geraldton to Esperance and the interior to the Wheatbelt, on the evening of April 7.

"Previously, the Great Cocky Count has focused on the greater Perth metropolitan area, but this year Birds Australia and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) are keen to get information about bird numbers anywhere the birds roost at night," Mr Marmion said.

"The Great Cocky Count was so successful in 2010 that this year we want to expand the survey to include roosting birds from Geraldton all the way to Esperance.

"Last year, 350 volunteers visited 220 sites of which 120 were night roost sites.

"The strong community support, especially from members of Birds Australia, makes it possible to cover a vast area and visit all roost sites on the same evening, giving a 'snapshot' count of bird numbers.

"The survey, jointly organised by Birds Australia's Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project and DEC, aims to determine a population estimate for the species across the South-West.

"It will also help determine whether the population has declined or increased since previous surveys in 2006 and 2010."

The Minister said that last year 6,600 Carnaby's black cockatoos were counted in the greater Perth region.  This was consistent with expert estimates of 8,000 to 10,000 birds for the greater Perth area.

Repeating the Great Cocky Count will make it possible to monitor the number of birds visiting the Swan Coastal Plain this autumn and provide an indication of whether they bred successfully last year.

Mr Marmion said the partnership between DEC and Birds Australia was helping to map critical habitat of Carnaby's black cockatoo, with the aim of protecting the species from further decline.

"Taking part in the Great Cocky Count is easy and fun," he said.

"It involves getting to your site half-an-hour before sunset and counting the birds as they fly into the roost, until about half-an-hour after sunset.

"The night roosts are easy to identify.  Carnaby's black cockatoos roost overnight in tall trees, often pines or eucalypts, and will flock there in significant numbers, calling loudly, at dusk."

To join the Great Cocky Count; provide information about a Carnaby's black cockatoo night roost site; or to be part of the ongoing Cocky Count, contact either Dr Xander Kabat at greatcockycount@birdsaustralia.com.au or  Dr Geoff Barrett at geoff.barrett@dec.wa.gov.au or on 9423 2907.

Minister's office  - 9220 5000