A new internet-based system for recording and documenting bird observations was launched at the OSNZ annual conference held in Kaikoura on Saturday, 31st May. Known as New Zealand eBird the system is major advance in bird observation and documentation technology. It is a new tool designed to give bird-watchers the opportunity to submit observations made in New Zealand into a permanent archive, while building their own lists and enjoying birds! New Zealand eBird was described in an article in a recent issue of Southern Bird (No.33, March 2008).
The following notes are extracted from the News section of the eBird website,
http://ebird.org/content/newzealand and are being circulated for your information.
"Through collaboration with Cornell University and the Audubon Society of America, the Ornithological Society of New Zealand is proud to present this state of the art system for the recording of all your bird observations. Ever wondered what to do with your bird observations? Do you want to know how many species of bird you have seen in NZ but are too lazy or shy to make a list?
This programme allows anyone who wishes to, to enter bird observations from New Zealand (and incidentally anywhere else in the western hemisphere). This data is then compiled into your own monthly, yearly, regional and life lists for the user AND it contributes data that can be used by scientists to assess the status of New Zealand's birds. It enables all who visit the site to view maps of bird distribution in NZ and updates users on rare bird sightings and lists for over 100 "hotspots" around the country. We hope that as many users as possible will take advantage of this programme to add an extra dimension to their bird-watching and to help science and conservation. If you visit a spot regularly, are working in the back blocks or even if you just record birds on the way to work or in your backyard you should add these observations to eBird. There are so many things we don't know about NZs birds that eBird may help us resolve.
We hope eBird will help us answer many questions that have been asked on Birding-NZ: when do the first cuckoos arrive each year - do they first arrive in the north and filter down the country or do they get to most places simultaneously? Are cuckoos declining? Where do the introduced finches go in the winter? Which introduced birds migrate in NZ? Which native bush birds migrate in NZ? The Atlas of Bird Distribution in NZ 1999-2004 was a great achievement but we mustn't stop now. What is happening to birds in NZ today? Is the intensification in agriculture and the "dairy boom" affecting even NZ's common birds? Did you know red-billed gulls are declining all over NZ - is this serious or a minor readjustment?
All these questions require lots of observers making regular records. Even if you don't do regular counts already why don't you start? You can do it whilst walking the dog, driving to work, driving to the beach house, going for a relaxing bush walk - when ever. You can make a difference."
Go ahead, have a look at the website and add your observations to New Zealand eBird. Registration as a new user is, of course, free and is quick and easy to do.
