Counting Waterfowl
Counting waterfowl over an extended period of time and at many locations is the most reliable way of determining the impacts habitat degradation is having on bird numbers.
Every year FGA Members conduct two giant waterfowl surveys at rivers, lakes, farm dams and wetlands.
The longest line of records gathered have been from places across Victoria and the two tables below indicate the number of sites that have been surveyed since 2004.
|
Number of Wetlands Counted - Feb |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Region |
04' |
05' |
06' |
07' |
08' |
09' |
|
Gippsland |
47 |
42 |
34 |
- |
38 |
59 |
|
North East |
41 |
60 |
50 |
- |
54 |
51 |
|
North West |
44 |
59 |
78 |
- |
31 |
29 |
|
Port Phillip |
20 |
13 |
34 |
- |
9 |
10 |
|
South West |
39 |
65 |
67 |
- |
30 |
49 |
|
Total |
191 |
239 |
263 |
0 |
162 |
198 |
|
Number of Wetlands Counted - Nov |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Region |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Gippsland |
26 |
23 |
34 |
62 |
37 |
|
North East |
57 |
29 |
39 |
66 |
36 |
|
North West |
53 |
14 |
18 |
46 |
29 |
|
Port Phillip |
19 |
24 |
26 |
22 |
18 |
|
South West |
35 |
25 |
48 |
45 |
37 |
|
Total |
190 |
115 |
165 |
241 |
157 |
The FGA surveys are held each year in February and November but you can keep a count all year round or at any interval you would like to select.
Have Fun Keeping Your Own Waterfowl Survey Records
We have prepared a survey form to help you keep count of native waterfowl anywhere in Australia. If you have a dam river or wetland nearby download a copy of this form and start counting today.
We would also love to have your results in years to come.
Click here to download a copy of the Waterfowl Survey Form | 
