Quail Survey 2024 |
Survey Info
Aim
To detect the presence and estimate the abundance of Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis)
To detect the presence and estimate the abundance of Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis)
Method
Please count the number of birds flushed (either flying or running) while harvesting the crop. To prevent double counting of birds please don’t count birds that land back in the crop you are yet to harvest
Please count the number of birds flushed (either flying or running) while harvesting the crop. To prevent double counting of birds please don’t count birds that land back in the crop you are yet to harvest
Data Collection and Reporting
We recommend using a notebook or tally counter to record each flushing. Once the paddock has been completely or partly harvested (if you can accurately estimate the area of the partly harvested section), please tally up the count and record it in the relevant areas on the physical datasheet or in this online survey form. If a large paddock is harvested over more than one day, please record each day separately and estimate the area completed. The tally counted and this estimated area should be treated as one survey. If you count quail in more than one paddock (that would be very much appreciated), treat this as separate surveys and complete a new survey form each time. The system will allow counters to complete the survey multiple times if they have counted more than one paddock.
We recommend using a notebook or tally counter to record each flushing. Once the paddock has been completely or partly harvested (if you can accurately estimate the area of the partly harvested section), please tally up the count and record it in the relevant areas on the physical datasheet or in this online survey form. If a large paddock is harvested over more than one day, please record each day separately and estimate the area completed. The tally counted and this estimated area should be treated as one survey. If you count quail in more than one paddock (that would be very much appreciated), treat this as separate surveys and complete a new survey form each time. The system will allow counters to complete the survey multiple times if they have counted more than one paddock.
Explanatory Notes
Downloadable data sheets and all explanatory notes can be found on the research project webpage.
Total Quail Counted - This is the total number of quail tallied that were seen flushing out of crops where they were either flying/running away. It is important not to count quail that flush and then land back into unharvested crops that then maybe accidentally recounted on a future pass.
Total Paddock Size - This is important data for the calculation of quail density not just in the counter’s paddocks but all others. If this is unknown it can be worked out using Google Earth by overlaying an area polygon over the location of the paddock or section of the paddock harvested. In need, seek assistance from the project leader Matt Godson (0448 887 079).