The Glossy Black Cockatoo
The Great Inland Glossy Count is calling for community volunteers to become “cockatoo counters” this month.
The NSW Saving our Species program had to be postponed late last year.
“Bird lovers, citizen scientists or anyone with an interest in this beautiful threatened species, are needed to survey Glossy Black Cockatoo populations at three key sites around inland NSW,” said National Parks and Wildlife Service Senior Project Officer Adam Fawcett.
“Listed as vulnerable in NSW, glossies are easily spotted with their distinctive red markings. The count will help our scientists understand more about this threatened bird,” he said.
It is hoped to get 100 volunteers for the second count. A total of 70 volunteers participated in 2019 and counted over 700 Glossy Black Cockatoos across inland NSW.
The count is part of a wider project to conserve the species at three key sites. The dates for the 2021 surveys are: 13th February – Pilliga Forests; 20th February – Goonoo National Park; and 27th February – Goobang National Park and surrounds.
“What a great opportunity to get out to some of our amazing national parks and state forests, sit back and watch a threatened species in its natural habitat,” Adam said.
Volunteers will need to pre-register using the Department of Planning Industry and Environment’s Volunteer Portal and will be required to follow COVID safety guidelines.
Family members are encouraged to volunteer together and will be stationed at one dam on their chosen weekend.
“We are asking volunteers to setup at their survey site an hour or so before dusk and wait as Glossy Black Cockatoos fly in for water. The only requirements are the ability to make your way to a dam allocated by the Saving our Species team and to bring a pair of binoculars, a comfy chair and a notepad.”