Field Techniques in Bird Studies Course Report Nov. 22nd – Nov 28th 2015- Lauren Gilson & Joe Porter Each year a small group of ornithologists meets at the Eyre Bird Observatory for a short course on techniques for studying birds. In 2015, course leader Tegan Douglas was presenting her own bird study results to ornithologists at the Australasian Ornithological Conference and Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry conference, and so the course was led by Lauren Gilson. Bush fires almost blocked the southern migration of participants, but after determining that we would be safe from fire danger and smoke at Newman Rocks, Lauren and four of this year’s participants departed for our rendezvous with herpetologist/naturalist Joe Porter. At the Observatory, students William Oversby (supported by BirdLife WA), Angus McFarlane (supported by the Sowilo Community High School), Annika Baynham, and Hayden Ajduk were joined by former EBO caretakers/current course participants Danie and Delene van Dyk, and current EBO caretakers/former course participants, Alan and Wendy Pilkington. Wendy instructing Angus while Lauren records Surveying along Kanidal Beach Alan with Danie, Hayden & Annika The mist-netting session got everyone’s hands onto some birds, with New Holland Honeyeaters and Silvereyes volunteering in equal numbers to help train our flocks in extracting and processing captured birds. A single Blue-breasted Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrubwren provided a modicum of variety, with three Singing Honeyeaters and three Welcome Swallows completing the species list. Seven of 51 processed birds were recaptures, with most having been recently banded in the preceding months (the oldest from 2014). Alan and Wendy Pilkington supervised the instruction of extracting, banding, and scribing methods; the relatively light sampling enabled participants to take time practicing measurement and moult evaluation. It also enabled us to discuss how banding could be used and misused, and the kinds of information that may be extrapolated from a mist-net sampling effort. Joe measuring the depth of the tail fork on the Fingers just don't want to go where you want Welcome Swallow as a means of sexing. them to. Joe and Wendy The grid survey effort around the station detected 28 species, and the resultant territory mapping gave participants a visual sense of variations in behaviour and habitat preferences, relative density and diversity, and spatial overlap that could suggest niche partitioning. During the line transect sampling along the West Track, observers detected 25 species, five of which were sampled at rates adequate for plotting accumulation curves that estimate birds per hectare. Students attempted to undertake a behavioural observation with the aim of generating a behavioural foraging interaction key, but with few plants in flower this season, interactions afield were limited and observable movements were restricted on windy days. We focused on the broader surveying methods, including one Atlas survey along Kanidal Beach. Caretakers Wendy and Alan Pilkington were significant contributors to the course this year, having recently obtained the A-class banding authorities and having travelled far and wide honing their own bird study skills. They brought to the table their greater familiarity with monitoring schemes and bird study efforts throughout Australia, and their contributions to the evening “around-table” discussion sessions complemented our field-focal sampling. Joe Porter also shared his herpetological expertise, collecting mark-and-recapture data on two species through the pitfall trapping line, and conducting some spotlighting searches; two snakes and 8 lizards were recorded opportunistically. Reptile Trapping Pit fall traps (funnels) were utilised from Saturday 22th to Friday the 27th. Traps were checked morning and afternoon. Reptiles were sexed and marked for mark-recapture. Nineteen captures consisting of two species were recorded during the week of trapping. There was one Ctenotus euclae and three Ctenphorus maculatus recaptured. Table 1: Reptiles species captured in pitfall traps at Eyre Bird Observatory 2015 Common name Scientific name Sex Number of captures Recaptures Bight Wedge-snouted Ctenotus Ctenotus euclae Unknown 7 1 Spotted Military Dragon Ctenphorus maculatus Males 6 1 Females 6 2 Spotted Military Dragon Mallee Tree Dragon Bight Wedge-snouted Ctenotus Photos by Joe Porter In addition to the species captured in pit fall traps, opportunistic reptiles were captured and/or photographed and identified. These included: Dugite Pseudonaja affinis Master’s Snake Drysdalia masterii Heath Monitor Varanus rosenbergi Common Scaly-foot Pygopus lepidopodus Mallee Tree Dragon Amphibolurus norrisi Nullarbor Marbled Gecko Christinus alexanderi Thick-tailed Gecko Underwoodisaurus milii Richard’s Crevice-skink Egernia richardi Bull Skink Liopholis multiscutata Shrubland Snake-eyed Skink Morethia obscura .