Latest news ....

10 June 2008

Upgrades to the website: Observer summaries

We have added a few new tricks to the observer data summary pages. Observers can now get a better look at the data they have submitted to the project (in summary form). The new options can be accessed from the drop down list. They are:

Full protocol - 20 most recent cards
Full protocol - All Cards
Adhoc/Incidental Protocol - 20 most recent cards
Adhoc/Incidental Protocol - All Cards
Coverage map of my submissions
My species list - verified records only

21 April 2008

Arrival and departure of migrants in near-real time

We have added a new feature to the species distribution maps (found under "Summaries" on the left hand side menu). The histogram for each species is immediately below its interim distribution map; if you click on it (once) the graph enlarges. The histograms show the percentage of checklists for each pentade which record the species. Pentades are five-day periods, with Pentade 1 being 1-5 January, ..., Pentade 73 being 27-31 December. Note - pentades are a unit of time, pentads are a measure of space!

To go directly to the histogram for Barn Swallow, click here. For more information on pentades, click here..

The most recent bars of the histogram are frequently based on small samples of data; this provides a great motivation for observers to submit their observations as rapidly as possible. Then we'll get even closer to real time.

17 April 2008

Updated DMS manual

The manual for the Data Management System has been updated to be used with the latest DMS update (ver 1.8.0). Click here to download the manual (PDF 515KB)

17 April 2008

Afrikaans species list for DMS

An Afrikaans species list is now available to download for the Data Management System. Please note that if you install this list it will overwrite the existing English species list and should you want to return to using the English names you will have to re-install the English species list, i.e. you can only use one species list at a time.

13 March 2008

Regional Atlas Committees

We have added a menu item called Regional Atlas Committees which links to a page outlining the role of these committees and lists the names and contact details of the regional chairpersons.

7 March 2008

FAQs

We have updated this section to include separate FAQs for protocol issues and software (DMS) issues. These are listed as sub-menus under the FAQ link on the main menu.

27 Februray 2008

Google Maps

Maps and satellite images for each pentad can now be downloaded from the web. Go to "Summaries" on the left hand menu, click on "Gap analysis". On the map that opens, click the general area you are interested in (this is sensitive on a 1x1 degree grid). The "gap analysis" for this degree square opens, reporting how many checklists have been submitted for each pentad. The degree square has 16 quarter degree grid cells. Scroll to QDGC of interest. Within each QDGC, there are nine pentads, which are arranged

1   2   3
4   5   6
7   8   9

(so that the 6th on the list is the one in the middle row on the right hand side). If you click on the "map" icon on the left hand side, you get the GoogleMap road map. If you click on "satellite" you get the satellite photo of the pentad, and if you click on "hybrid" you get the roads overlaid on the satellite image. The words are far more complicated than it really is. The best thing to do is to experiment.

We'd appreciate feedback on how useful these maps are; send your comments and suggestions to Les Underhill.

27 Februray 2008

Newsletters

We have started to compile all project news and updates into a new web-based newsletter. The first of these was recently sent out on the Sabap2-l list-server and dealt with the results of the 'Summer Challenge' and extensions to the atlasing protocol. Should you inadvertently delete the sabap2-l messages or not receive them, the newsletters will be archived on the website. You can access these by clicking on the Newsletters link in the left-hand menu.

Newsletters will be compiled and distributed on an ad hoc basis and usually whenever there is important project news or updates that need to be communicated to the atlasing community.

30 January 2008

New Regional Atlas Chairman for Limpopo

We would like to announce that John Sewards has been appointed as the Chairman for the new Regional Atlas Committee in Limpopo. Prior to this, Ernst Retief (Gauteng Chairman) was handling, in consultation with John, all Limpopo out-of-range and rarity records. John is an experienced atlas campaigner and tops the list of most active atlasers. He is a member of the Phalaborwa Bird Club and has a good knowledge of the region's birds, particularly in the Lowveld, which is his home base and where he has lived for many years.

What this means for atlasers surveying pentads in Limpopo is that any out-of-range or rarity records you receive from now on will need to be sent directly to John whereupon his committee will adjudicate the records. His contact details will appear in the email sent back to you with the out-of-range forms and on the Species Verification Sheets.

The project team welcomes John on board and wishes him well in his new role. We would also like to thank Ernst for his time and assistance in curating the Limpopo records in the interim.

21 January 2008

Species distribution maps

Click here to view distribution maps of the recorded occurrence of each species during SABAP2. The SABAP1 distribution is also shown for comparative purposes. Please note that the maps are for illustrative purposes only and will be updated on a weekly basis.

21 January 2008

List-server problems

For those of you who subscribe to sabap2-l and saba2-lChat you may have noticed that your postings are not being accepted. This is due to some problems experienced with our service provider. We are looking into this issue and as soon as we have any news on this we will let you know. For the time being please DO NOT send any messages to sabap2-l or sabap2-lChat.

If you have a query or question please send it to one of the project team members and check the "What's new?" page on a regular basis for updates and feedback.

18 January 2008

New atlasing stories

Two new stories have been added. Click here to read about Carol Horne's saga of how atlasing can be dangerous, while Peter Lawson describes how one can take advantage of any situation to conduct an atlas survey!

17 January 2008

The 50 000th record!

Click here to read about who submitted the 50 000th record and how it was calculated!

13 December 2007

Who's who in the Project Team

We have put together a page showing who makes up the SABAP2 project team. So....to get a glimpse of the team members and learn a little more about them click here

The page is also accessible from the 'Contact us' link on the side menu.

11 December 2007

Obtaining a SABAP1 birdlist for a quarter degree grid cell

To get the SABAP1 data for the quarter degree grid cell that your pentad falls in, click here. On the page that opens, there is a box at the top. Enter the code for the quarter degree grid cell (eg 3318BC) and the bird list for this grid cell will be returned. It is a pdf file, and can either be printed or saved. Besides the bird list, the most useful information is the SABAP1 reporting rates, which are in the column that is headed %. The next 12 columns give the reporting rates in each month.

Note that not all species on the quarter degree grid cell list will be likely to be in your pentad, but this bird list is nevertheless a reasonable guide to what you can expect to find, especially if the number of checklists submitted for SABAP1 was reasonably large (i.e. >10).

If you see a species which is not on the SABAP1 list, check its identification carefully.

4 December 2007

SABAP2 Summer Challenge

The project team for SABAP2 encourages all atlasers to make a special effort on behalf of the project during the summer holidays. So for this purpose, we thought we'd sweep the slate clean, and start counting submissions from scratch in a variety of categories from today until the end of the "silly season". There won't be any prizes, except being placed on the roll of honour for contributions to the project over this period. The details are can be found under Summer Challenge on the left hand side menu.

4 December 2007

There is a new link on the left hand side menu, called Atlasing Stories where you can read about the experiences observers are having while they are out atlasing. If you have a story you want to share, write a few paragraphs, and send them to Les Underhill (les.underhill@adu.uct.ac.za). If you have a picture to illustrate your story, please send it too.

30 November 2007

Pentad layer for Google Earth

For those who use Google earth this is just a reminder that there is a pentad layer that one can overlay onto your Google Earth images. Click here to unzip the pentads.kml file. To load the file into Google Earth just double-click on the filename.

Note: You will need to change the layers properties in Google Earth to show the boundaries more clearly. Select the layer, right-click with the mouse and select 'Properties'. Select the 'Style, Color' tab, and change the 'Area color' to 'Outline'. Then Select a Line colour and press 'OK'.

30 October 2007

The Field Record Sheets have been revised:

An updated hardcopy version (PDF 61KB), for use strictly in the field, but which can also be submitted directly to the ADU is now available.

An electronic version (MS Word 215KB) is now also available to allow observers to complete the form on-screen and then submit it (as an attachment) via email.

An electronic Additional Information Sheet (MS Word 73KB) has also been produced to allow you to submit your additional observations via email.

15 October 2007

The latest update to the Data Management System (udate #4, 10 Oct 2007) is now available to download. Click here and page down to "Software updates".

19 September 2007

Click here to download Christine GIS Map Viewer (965 KB) - this replaces DIVA-GIS which was available on earlier versions of the CD Starter Kit but which could not open the digital maps supplied from Surveys and Mapping.

Once installed, this program will allow you to open the digital maps, overlay the pentad grid (shape file) and to print maps to an A4 sheet. For quick-start instructions on using Christine GIS Viewer download the CD Starter Kit content guide

29 August 2007

Click here to download the latest species list update for the Data Management System (58 KB). This update removes the apostrophes from species names which could not be entered when compiling or editing a field sheet.

17 August 2007

Afrikaans Quick-start guide (Kits gids) is now available to download (648 KB, PDF). Click here

Data Management System update (#2) is now available to download (11MB). Click here

16 August 2007

Pentad coverage map is now available. Click here to view.

Observer and checklist summary information are now available through the Interactive Map

8 August 2007

Photo summary of the Durban launch of SABAP2 is now available to view. Click here

30 July 2007

Pentad shape files, for use with GIS packages, are now available to download (1.6 MB ZIP file). Click here

27 July 2007

An Afrikaans version of the landowner introductory letter is now available to download. Click here

6 July 2007

The Data Management System can now be downloaded

5 July 2007

The species list used in the Data Management System has been updated to include Southern Black Flycatcher, which had inadvertently been omitted. Click here to download the application that will update the species list on your computer.

The Field Data Sheets have also been updated and now list the Southern Black Flycatcher.

The map resources have also been updated to include three additional Chief Directorate: Surveys and Mapping sales vendors - in Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein and Pretoria. Click here to view or download these details.

4 July 2007

An explainatory/introductory letter that can be given to landowners or land managers is now available to download and print. The letter is intended to inform landowners about the project and request their assistance in terms of granting permission to observers to access private land or restricted areas. Click here to download the document.

29 June 2007

Official launch of SABAP2

SABAP2 was officially launched on 26 June at a lunchtime event held at the Mokha Restaurant, Pretoria National Botanical Garden. The event was hosted by South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and was attended by about 50 people, including SANBI, BirdLife SA and ADU staff, officials from Gauteng Nature Conservation, conservation organistions, regional bird clubs and members of the press.

A second launch was held on the 28 June at the Old Mutual Conference Center, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town. Hosted once again by SANBI, about 50 people attended including SANBI, ADU and BirdLife staff, research staff from the University of Cape Town, officials from the City of Cape Town's Nature Conservation Department, regional bird clubs and media personel. Click here for a short photo summary of the event.

21 June 2007

The Instruction Manual has been updated and is now available to download - click here . This first edition should now be used if you would like to take part in SABAP2. The section on how to carry out an atlas survey has been expanded to include some information on how to prepare for an atlas trip. The habitat coverage section has also been modified and now includes an explanation of what is meant by 'covering all habitats' and lists the broad habitats that we would like atlasers to consider covering in their pentads.

A "Quick-start Guide" is now also available - click here - which provides a summary of the atlas protocol and how to participate in SABAP2.

Don't forget that the atlas officially gets underway as from 1 July, so if you haven't yet registered please go to the On-line Registration Form or call Michael Brooks at 021 650 4998 (o/h) or Doug Harebottle at 021 650 2330 (o/h).

13 June 2007

SABAP2 will officially be launched during the last week of June with events taking place in Pretoria on 26 June and in Cape Town on 28 June. A launch is also been planned for Durban with dates still to be confirmed.

This means that from 1 July 2007 you can start with your atlas surveys! So, if you haven't registered yet, go to the On-line Registration Form or call Michael Brooks at 021 650 4998 (o/h) or Doug Harebottle at 021 650 2330 (o/h).

25 May 2007

The Instructions are now available for review and comment. Click here to download a copy.

16 May 2007

Progress with SABAP2 has been good and we can report that the Instructions and data capture software are almost complete. We expect to launch the project in the next 2 months. We realize that many of you are anxiously waiting to get started (which is great) but we kindly ask you to be just a little more patient. We want to make sure that we provide you with the best possible project materials so that you will be able to collect the information as effeciently as possible.

In the interim, if you have not yet registered as an observer, you can regsiter on-line using the On-line Registration Form. By registering early you will be allocated an observer number (= your ADU number) which you will need when submitting your atlas data and as a reference when communicating with the SABAP2 team.