Wednesday 22 August 2012

August update

I am happy to report that there are 9 out of 11 tracking devices that are still attached to cockatoos and transmitting. I keep wondering how much longer the batteries will last!

I have been busy following flocks, taking copious field notes and learning lots about the cockatoos. They have remained reasonably stable in their locations over recent weeks. Apart from the impressive journey to Arrowsmith the only other notable movements have been the two in the hills that drifted north and then back again and one of my study birds that had spent a lot of time in the Mt Lawley area has recently made a move up to the vicinity of The Vines.

I am about to travel to a course on managing data for movement ecology. Perfect timing for my study seeing as my study birds have been sending heaps of great data on their whereabouts. Now I just have to figure out how best to analyse it!

Nest monitoring is about to start with the first field trip in September. I will miss it because I will be away on the course but I am eagerly waiting to see if any of my study birds are sighted in the breeding areas.

How many cockatoos can perch in a tree?