The call is out for 'citizen scientists' to help assess the health and diversity of birdlife in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.
The heritage-listed national park is home to an array of native birds and more than 100 species, ranging from eagles and owls to parrots and waterbirds.
The Great Gariwerd Bird Survey will check the condition of this birdlife at 36 locations in the park, complementing similar survey work completed ten years ago. The data gathered will provide a view of how birdlife has recovered following recent bushfires, and offer an early indication of how effective the Grampians Ark conservation program has been at controlling feral cats.
To complete the survey and provide a unique opportunity for nature lovers, Parks Victoria and the Nature Glenelg Trust are looking for 40 volunteer citizen scientists from the Grampians region who are available during the first half of 2021.
Parks Victoria area chief ranger Rhonda McNeil said the Grampians National Park was a special natural environment that provides sanctuary for many species of birds.
"Like all wildlife, birds face threats from human activities, a loss of habitat, climate change and predators including pest animals such as feral cats," she said.
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"This survey will provide important information for us to better understand the current impact of those threats, and help inform how we manage the park for the amazing birdlife that calls it home."
To be survey-ready, successful volunteers will take part in a free 10-week bird monitoring course by behavioural ecologist Dr Greg Kerr, to be held in either Halls Gap or Dunkeld.
The survey is currently scheduled for a weekend in late April 2021, with the bird monitoring training course to be held between February and April 2021.
Applications for this opportunity close on January 17, 2021.
For more information and to apply, visit: www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/volunteering/great-gariwerd-bird-survey
The Great Gariwerd Bird Survey is being jointly delivered by Parks Victoria and the Nature Glenelg Trust, with funding support from the Australian Heritage Grant.
