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Bird Surveys - Mungkan Kandju NP - Call for Volunteers
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in conjunction with Birds Australia NQ is running a project monitoring bird population responses to management of feral animal damage to wetlands on Mungkan Kandju NP. The park is located between the Coen and Archer Rivers, 65km NW of Coen. The project needs to build a pool of trained volunteers to draw on, to do three counts a year over the next few years. Counts are conducted in the late wet (June), mid-dry (September) and late dry (November). This year’s dates are 13 September and 29 November (subject to confirmation).
You will need to be a skilled birder with experience in NQ conditions and physically fit, since you will be required to walk up to 5km a day in a tropical environment. A willingness to work in a team is important. We need volunteers who are committed to return to the count at least once a year. You will need to spare a week of your time for each 3 day count and travel.
Volunteers will receive training, access to on-park accommodation and may be catered for during their stay. Time permitting we will also visit other areas of the park in search of bird life at various monitoring sites on lagoons, rivers and woodlands.
Over the last 5 years and depending on time of the year, Mungkan Kandju NP has turned up close to either accommodation or the survey areas sightings of breeding Spotted Whistling Ducks, and other Cape York endemics such as Palm Cockatoos, Green-backed Honeyeater, Trumpet Manucode, Magnificent Riflebird and Yellow-billed Kingfisher. Bar-breasted and Banded Honeyeaters, Large-tailed Nightjars, Owlet Nightjars and Tawny and Papuan Frogmouths have been seen regularly. The park bird list is still growing with each expedition adding on average about 6 new species not previously reported on the park. This experience is a great way to "bulk up" the life and year list. Previously volunteers have used their trip to Mungkan Kandju NP as a stepping stone to visit Iron Range before returning home.
Please note that places for volunteers on each expedition will be limited, so it will pay to register, that way if you miss out on a place you will be in reserve or allocated to the next event. Registered volunteers who have been trained may also be able to participate in other monitoring activities at various times of the year.
Further information please contact the project manager Greg Bortolussi: greg.bortolussi@derm.qld.gov.au Tel. 40573031 or Mob 041 971 4091
Photo of Palm Cockatoo in Mungkan Kandju National Park. Courtesy birdway.com.au