Male and female Carnaby’s black bockatoo. Photo by Raana Scott.THE annual survey to count Carnaby’s black cockatoos resulted in a huge number of volunteers taking part in the increasingly popular Great Cocky Count.
The count, organised by BirdLife Australia in partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation, aims to count as many Carnaby’s black cockatoos as possible on a single night each year in April.
This year’s survey took place at sunset on 15 April.
Thanks to volunteer support, knowledge of where the cockatoos’ critical roosting habitat occurs is increasing with every survey done.
BirdLife Australia’s WA program manager, Cheryl Gole said there was an enormous response this year to the call for volunteers.
“More than 270 people were signed up to survey sites across the south-west of Western Australia, including sites in Geraldton and Esperance,” she said.
“We are still collecting the results but more than 230 surveys have been returned so far.
“A number of new roost sites have been reported across the cockatoo’s range, including a roost outside Esperance of more than 1000 cockatoos.”
The number of people willing to put up their hands to count the much-loved cockatoos was overwhelming.
Many more volunteers were available than there were survey sites, especially around Perth.
In the previous 12 months, the Great Cocky Count showed a 37 per cent drop in the number of Carnaby’s black cockatoos counted at night roosts in the Swan region, an area which includes Perth.
“Carnaby’s black cockatoos are of real concern to the community and people are looking for ways they can help protect the species,” Great Cocky Count organiser Tamara Kabat said.
“Taking part in surveys such as the count is just one way they can help.
“We are asking the community to continue to help by telling us about night roosts so they are included in the next survey.
“We are very keen to hear about night-time roost locations for all three black cockatoos.”
Ms Gole said BirdLife Australia was grateful to everyone who participated and they would like to hear from everyone who wants to participate next year.
To get involved or to pass on information about new cockatoo roost locations, contact Tamara Kabat on 9287 2204 or greatcockycount@birdlife.org.au