ASIAN WATERBIRDS CENSUS 2021 Malaysia has just started:
2 - 17 January 2021
2 - 17 January 2021
BACKGROUND
The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is an international programme that focuses on monitoring the status of waterbirds and wetlands. It also aims to increase public awareness on issues related to wetland and waterbird conservation. The census is carried out each January as a voluntary activity at national and local level. The AWC is co-ordinated by Wetlands International as part of global programme, the “International Waterbird Census”. In each country, the AWC is coordinated by a national coordinator, who is either with a NGO or government. The census has three major objectives:
1. to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during the non-breeding period of most species (January), as a basis for evaluation of sites and monitoring of populations
2. to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands
3. to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst people, and thereby promote the conservation of wetlands and waterbirds in the region.
Data collected for the AWC is being used to provide information on wetlands and waterbirds and to encourage local or national conservation measures for important wetlands. The census is primarily carried out by volunteers from all walks of life: university and school staff and students, nature club members, amateur and professional ornithologists, government and non-governmental agencies and others. Sites covered include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, tanks, swamps, coastal sites, mangrove and mudflats, reefs, sandy beaches, etc. All species of waterbirds associated with wetlands are entered onto standardised waterbird count forms.
COUNT PROCEDURE AND GUIDELINES
The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is an international programme that focuses on monitoring the status of waterbirds and wetlands. It also aims to increase public awareness on issues related to wetland and waterbird conservation. The census is carried out each January as a voluntary activity at national and local level. The AWC is co-ordinated by Wetlands International as part of global programme, the “International Waterbird Census”. In each country, the AWC is coordinated by a national coordinator, who is either with a NGO or government. The census has three major objectives:
1. to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during the non-breeding period of most species (January), as a basis for evaluation of sites and monitoring of populations
2. to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands
3. to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst people, and thereby promote the conservation of wetlands and waterbirds in the region.
Data collected for the AWC is being used to provide information on wetlands and waterbirds and to encourage local or national conservation measures for important wetlands. The census is primarily carried out by volunteers from all walks of life: university and school staff and students, nature club members, amateur and professional ornithologists, government and non-governmental agencies and others. Sites covered include rivers, lakes, reservoirs, tanks, swamps, coastal sites, mangrove and mudflats, reefs, sandy beaches, etc. All species of waterbirds associated with wetlands are entered onto standardised waterbird count forms.
COUNT PROCEDURE AND GUIDELINES
- Count at the most important waterbird sites (including wetland sanctuaries, Ramsar sites, IBAs and Flyway Network sites) and sites which can be accessed on an annual basis.
- For large-sized sites (we call these parent sites) with well-known and clearly demarcated sub-sites (or count unit area), it is necessary to submit a form for each sub-site. It is important to be able to identify the name of the sub-site clearly, e.g. Chilika Lake—Mangalajodi and Chilika Lake--Nalabana, are two separate sub-sites within the Chilika Lake. It is possible that you will cover such sub-sites on different days or by different teams covering sub-sites simultaneously. The Coordinator/ Wetlands International can review the counts and can combine accurately.
- The standard AWC Methodology to undertake the counts is downloadable below. Try to count all waterbirds present. Also, give a count for a single day.
Waterbird-monitoring-methods | |
File Size: | 1090 kb |
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4. Give that figure of each species which you consider the best estimate and avoid giving ranges, e.g. 100-200.Terms such as “hundreds” and “thousands” are not very helpful.
5. If you fail to find any waterbirds at a wetland which is known to have held significant numbers of birds in the past, please complete a census form anyway, and note that no birds were present. If possible, give the reason for the absence of birds (e.g. wetland completely dry, wetland frozen over or site much disturbed by fishermen/hunters).
6. It is very important that you try to visit all the sites that you visited last year, try to use the same name for them and please do not amalgamate several sites which were previously counted separately.
7. Try to avoid duplication of effort. Whenever possible, counters should liaise together and agree on ONE census form which gives the results of your combined efforts.
8. Double-check all your entries on the count forms. In particular check to see that you have not inadvertently inserted a figure on the wrong line, or confused species names.
9. If you experience difficulties with the bird names on the count form, please mention this in the Comments section. Some English and Latin names vary for the same species depending on the guide book used. We have adopted the global standard set by BirdLife International (2014).
10. If you see any species of waterbird which is not listed on the count form, please add this in the space provided at the end of the list and give some additional information on its identification in the Comments section; photos may be submitted.
11. Please be sure to give your full name, address and email on the Waterbird Count Form. Otherwise we might not be able to contact you and share the results.
12. Threatened wetlands - if you feel that the wetland at which the count is conducted is under severe threat of destruction or degradation, please inform your National Co-ordinator, who can advise on whether action could be taken.
5. If you fail to find any waterbirds at a wetland which is known to have held significant numbers of birds in the past, please complete a census form anyway, and note that no birds were present. If possible, give the reason for the absence of birds (e.g. wetland completely dry, wetland frozen over or site much disturbed by fishermen/hunters).
6. It is very important that you try to visit all the sites that you visited last year, try to use the same name for them and please do not amalgamate several sites which were previously counted separately.
7. Try to avoid duplication of effort. Whenever possible, counters should liaise together and agree on ONE census form which gives the results of your combined efforts.
8. Double-check all your entries on the count forms. In particular check to see that you have not inadvertently inserted a figure on the wrong line, or confused species names.
9. If you experience difficulties with the bird names on the count form, please mention this in the Comments section. Some English and Latin names vary for the same species depending on the guide book used. We have adopted the global standard set by BirdLife International (2014).
10. If you see any species of waterbird which is not listed on the count form, please add this in the space provided at the end of the list and give some additional information on its identification in the Comments section; photos may be submitted.
11. Please be sure to give your full name, address and email on the Waterbird Count Form. Otherwise we might not be able to contact you and share the results.
12. Threatened wetlands - if you feel that the wetland at which the count is conducted is under severe threat of destruction or degradation, please inform your National Co-ordinator, who can advise on whether action could be taken.
COUNT RECORDING AND SUBMISSION
1. To submit your final site assessment AND waterbird count forms to your AWC National Coordinator, we strongly encourage you to fill in the AWC Waterbird Count & Wetland Assessment Entry File 2019 (in Excel Format) Submission in the Excel Form allows for more efficient data processing for your National Coordinator and reduces errors. The Excel File can be downloaded:
1. To submit your final site assessment AND waterbird count forms to your AWC National Coordinator, we strongly encourage you to fill in the AWC Waterbird Count & Wetland Assessment Entry File 2019 (in Excel Format) Submission in the Excel Form allows for more efficient data processing for your National Coordinator and reduces errors. The Excel File can be downloaded:
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2. Kindly fill a separate file for a single visit to a single site separately, renaming the form for each site and year before submission. For e.g. Sungai Buloh 2021Jan12. Kindly return the filled Excel forms to your AWC National Coordinator [email protected] by end of February.
3. Submit a simple boundary file of the counted area, following site boundary digitising guidance available here
3. Submit a simple boundary file of the counted area, following site boundary digitising guidance available here
How to digitize AWC-sites map? | |
File Size: | 1382 kb |
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4. The AWC National Coordinator collates all wetland assessment and waterbird count forms from participants into one overall table and submits this to Wetlands International.
5. If you have any query in filling the form, kindly contact your National Coordinator: [email protected]
Many thanks for your participation
5. If you have any query in filling the form, kindly contact your National Coordinator: [email protected]
Many thanks for your participation
Common waterbird poster | |
File Size: | 656 kb |
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Below are the list of the wetlands in Malaysia which need to be surveyed. Highlighted rows have yet to be confirmed.
The latest AWC December 2020 newsletter had been released. It includes an announcement, the final update of counts uploaded in the International Waterbirds Census database and other new items. Click HERE to read the newsletter.
The materials below are for reading and reference only, prior permission must be given for any form of reproduction.
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