A community-based monitoring program for the Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) in the
Southwest Slopes of New South Wales
The Superb Parrot is an iconic threatened woodland bird that has strong regional community
interest and support to help save it from further decline. For example, a number of
enthusiastic community members have attended information days at Boorowa about the
Superb Parrot in the last few years to show their support for the conservation of this beautiful
bird. The Superb Parrot is a spectacular looking green parrot that is easy to identify and is a
perfect threatened species for a community science monitoring program. The community, in
partnership with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and the Australian National
University will be collecting important population and distribution information that will
contribute to its conservation and management in the Southwest Slopes Bioregion of New
South Wales.
Aims of the Superb Parrot monitoring program
(1) To establish a community-based program to monitor the population of the Superb
Parrot in the Southwest Slopes Bioregion of New South Wales using a relatively simple
survey method that can be used on private or public land.
(2) To encourage local people to become involved in this program, by monitoring Superb
Parrots on their property, local town or favourite patch of bush. There will also be a
number of other sites that people can visit to count Superb Parrots.
(3) To increase community interest in conserving the Superb Parrots and its habitats,
particularly large old trees on farms and along regional roads.
Where will we count Superb Parrots?
Every spring, starting in 2013, local people will be asked to spend at least one morning a year
between late September and late November counting Superb Parrots at sites of their choice,
or sites that can be provide to them. Sites can be located on either private or public land in
the following Local Government Areas:
Yass, Boorowa, Cowra, Young, Cootamundra, Grenfell and Orange
How will we count Superb Parrots?
1. We will survey for Superb Parrots using a 1 km transect method.
2. The 1 km survey transect can follow a track, road or straight line across a farm or on public
land such as a Travelling Stock Reserve.
3. You will be counting Superb Parrots that are seen within 250 m either side of the 1 km
transect and recording them on a field data sheet (see below).
4. You will have 1 hour to walk the 1 km transect. This is a very slow walking pace but it will
allow plenty of time to stop, look and count Superb Parrots. .
5. You will need binoculars, ideally a GPS, and you will need to measure out the 1 km transect
and mark the start and end point on your GPS or with some flagging tape each end.
6. We can do a practice run in late September or early October somewhere around Boorowa
to make sure everyone is happy with the method.
This is what a Superb Parrot survey transect looks like (some will not be a straight line if they
follow a track or road):
What information will we collect during the count?
1. When you start please note the time you commence the count. Remember also to record
the time at the end of the count, though it should be one hour after you started.
2. During the 1 hour survey, you will be required to record how many Superb Parrots you see
and where you saw them on a field data sheet (see below)
3. Only record birds you see in front of you and perpendicular to you to a distance of 250 m
either side of the transect.
4. Do not count birds that you see behind you on the transect – this is a general rule for
most bird transect surveys.
5. Please record on the field data sheet as accurately as you can, the number of Superb
Parrots, the number of males and females, and the approximate height they are flying at –
as a guide, birds flying over the top of mature woodland or paddock trees would be about
20-25 m above the ground.
6. If you cannot determine the number of males and females, then please at least provide
accurate numbers of birds seen.
7. Mark each bird or flock of birds on the field sheet map and provide the numbers of birds
and number of each sex next to the point on the map.
8. Avoid double counting – try not to record individuals twice
9. Remember, a zero count is just as important as a survey that records Superb Parrots!
Female (left) and male Superb Parrot in flight
Male (left) and female (right) Superb Parrots
Superb Parrot Population Monitoring Survey Sheet
Observer
Site
GPS Starting Point:
Start Time
Temperature
Cloud
Wind
Date
# of people present
GPS End Point:
Finish Time
1 (cold)
1 (clear)
1 (none)
2
2
2
3
3
3
4 (hot)
4 (overcast)
4 (strong)
Superb Parrot Population Monitoring Survey Sheet