Each Nest Box Needs to Be Monitored at Dusk. This Limits Surveys to One Per Evening Unless

Nest box monitoring datasheet

Each nest box needs to be monitored at dusk. This limits surveys to one per evening unless multiple observers are available and boxes can be monitored concurrently. Equipment; Clip board, data sheet/s, pen/pencil/sharpener, LED torch/head torch, spare batteries OPTIONAL: GPS, camera, binoculars, chair, mosquito repellent, warm clothing (weather dependent), Method: 1. Travel to nest box site approx 20-30 minutes before sunset and familiarise yourself with surrounds. 2. Establish a “sit and watch” position near the base of the nest box tree. This should be in a location where you can see the nest box opening. Sometimes the opening may be difficult to see from ground level. When you are facing the nest box with the tree trunk behind it, the opening will be on the left- hand- side and facing in towards the trunk. The distance between your position and the nest box can be reduced according to your ability to keep still and quiet during the survey period (~30 min). Very quiet and still observers as individuals or pairs can sit as close as 2 metres of the base of the tree. Larger groups will need to keep further away, up to 5 metres or more. Establishing a position further from the nest box tree and watching the opening using binoculars may be more successful as animals are less likely to detect your presence as they exit. 3. You should be in place by 10-15 minutes from dusk. Local sunset and dusk times can be found readily on the internet such as http://www.weatherzone.com.au/vic/north-central/castlemaine 4. Record the start time of your survey. Nest box monitoring commences. Keep still and watch the nest box in the fading light. If possible, don’t use your torch. - If nothing is seen, the survey should continue for 10-15 minutes past dusk. Record the end time of your survey. - If an animal is seen leaving the box, see if you can identify it in the light available. This can be done by observing its shape and size or other features (for example tail; silhouettes are often great indicators of species). It is best to only use a torch if you are unable to confidently identify the animal in the fading light. If a torch is used, don’t shine it directly into the animal’s eyes. Try to direct the light to the rear end of the animal. If the animal bolts for the canopy, move slowly and quietly to get in a better position to observe it. These animals are flighty so loud noises and rapid movement will cause them to run away. You can finish the survey once a positive identification is achieved. Or, if you have time, wait for another five minutes to see whether you can spy another individual exiting (with Sugar Gliders it is quite likely that another will emerge after the first). 5. Add the final details to datasheet and return to Connecting Country. Ideally, all three boxes at a site will be surveyed either on the same night or within a two week period. Remember: even if you don’t see anything this is as important as if you do. It would be great if you could return all survey sheets regardless of the results. Weather, moonlight and other details can also be noted on the back of this page. Physical address / GPS location of nest boxes 1

Observer/s name

y (plus contact email or phone no.) e v

r Date: Start Time: Finish Time: Any notes? (more space on u Species Seen and No. of individuals S Nest box number Occupied? back of page) (written on base of box) Yes No 2

Observer/s name

r Date: Start Time: Finish Time: Any notes? (more space on u Species Seen and No. of individuals S Nest box number Occupied? back of page) (written on base of box) Yes No 3

Observer/s name

r Date: Start Time: Finish Time: Any notes? (more space on u Species Seen and No. of individuals S Nest box number Occupied? back of page) (written on base of box) Yes No

ABN: 47 539 096 184 Inc. No: A0053263V P.O Box 437, Castlemaine, VIC. 3450. 1 Nest box monitoring datasheet

The following features are not required for the nest box monitoring, however they may assist participants develop a greater understanding of animal behaviour and the results they gain from their site/s. Other variables Range SURVEY 1 SURVEY 2 SURVEY 3 Moon phase % moon out (e.g. full moon is 100%) 0 to 100% Mark with ‘X’ if moon hidden by clouds Nightlight 0 – no moonlight or heavy cloud cover, 1 – low, 0 to 3 2 – medium & 3 – high Cloud cover 0 to 100% Average % of sky covered by clouds Air temperature at start °C

Estimate of wind velocity 0 to 5 Beaufort wind scale (see below) Precipitation 0 – no rain, 1 – periodic drizzle, 2 – light rain, 0 to 4 3 – medium rain, 4 heavy rain Beaufort wind scale 0: calm < 1km/h (smoke rises vertically) 4: moderate breeze 20-28km/h (raises dust) 1: light air 1-5km/h 5: fresh breeze 29-38km/h (small/juvenile leaved trees swaying) 2: light breeze 6-11km/h (wind felt on face, leaves rustle) > 5: conditions are not suitable to conduct surveys 3: gentle breeze 12-19km/h (leaves & twigs in constant motion)

Extra Notes

ABN: 47 539 096 184 Inc. No: A0053263V P.O Box 437, Castlemaine, VIC. 3450. 2