How do I participate in SABAP2?
If you would like to take part in SABAP2 and find out more about what is involved follow the steps outlined below:
1. Registering as an observer
2. Obtaining a SABAP2 Starter Kit
3. Obtaining the relevant maps for field surveys
4. Conducting a field survey (i.e. atlas protocols)
5. Attending a bird atlas workshop/presentation
1. Registering as an observer
You can do this either on-line by completing the on-line registration form, or send your Full name, Postal address, Tel, Fax, Cell and/or email address to Doug Harebottle. As soon as you are registered you will receive your Observer Card and Observer No.
NOTE: If you already have an ADU Observer No. this can be used as your SABAP2 Observer No.
2. Obtaining a SABAP2 Starter Kit
The Starter Kit is vital as it contains all the project resources and materials (e.g Instruction Manual, Field Data Sheets, Data Management Software, etc.) you will need to become an atlaser.
It comes in two formats: CD format or Hardcopy format. When registering on-line you will be asked to select which starter kit option you prefer and this will be sent to you within 7-10 days. If you do not register on-line then you can request your 'free' copy from the ADU when submitting your contact details. Contact Doug Harebottle (Tel. 021 650 2330) in this regard. The kits are outlined below:
Basic CD Starter Kit
- Instruction Manual (Word and PDF)
- Quick Start Guides - English and Afrikaans (PDF)
- Field Data Sheets (PDF)
- Field Record Sheets (Word and PDF)
- Other documents - national rarity form, incidental reporting form (Word and PDF)
- SABAP2 Data Management System (software to capture, store, submit and manage your records)
- Christine GIS and Map Viewer (software to view and print digital maps)
- Adobe Flash Player (software needed to view maps on the website)
- Adobe Reader (software to open and print PDF files)
- Pentad shape files (files used in GIS software that will overlay the pentad grid on digital maps)
Advanced CD Starter Kit
As for the basic starter kit, but includes a selection of 10-20 digital maps of your local area or a requested region.
Note: The CD Starter Kits are easy to use and installation is from a pop-up menu that loads automatically when the CD is inserted into your CD/DVD-drive.
Hardcopy Starter Kit
This kit includes paper copies of:
- Instruction Manual (65 pages)
- Quick Start Guides - English and Afrikaans (4 pages)
- Regional Field Data Sheets
- Field Record Sheets
- Other documents - national rarity form, incidental reporting form, species verification form
NOTE:
- The CD Kit is strongly recommended for atlasers who have a Windows XP/Vista computer, and have email and Internet access, as the main feature of the kit is the Data Management System software that has been designed to capture and submit your records electronically to the ADU.
- The Quick Start Guide (available in English or Afrikaans) will help you get going almost immediately and contains a list of what equipment you will need and how to survey your 8km x 9km grid cell (referred to as a 'pentad').
- The Full Instruction Manual (English only) provides a lot more detail about the protocol and other aspects of the project (including bird club details and a full species list).
- Although the Quick Start Guide is enough to get you up and running having a copy of the Full Instruction Manual as a reference is recommended.
3. Obtaining the relevant maps for field surveys
Having the correct maps is an important feature when carrying out your atlas surveys as you will need to consider which pentad(s) you are going to survey and the boundaries of each pentad. Access routes and different landscape elements are also vital elements when planning a survey and the maps will help you assess which routes would be most suitable and what landscape elements are present.
The maps that you will need are the 1:50 000 topographical maps and these are available in digital and paper formats.
A full set (6-DVDs) of digital maps for South Africa can be ordered from the ADU at a cost of R50 (incl. P&P). Click here for the ADUs banking details and to find out more about digital maps.
Paper maps can be ordered through the Surveys and Mapping office based in Mowbray, Cape Town. For contact details click here
It is important to bear in mind that each 1:50 000 map contains nine pentads which can be identified by drawing lines across the map at five minute intervals for both latitude and longitude. For digital maps a pentad shape file is provided on the Starter Kit CD which overlays this pentad grid on the digital maps.
4. Conducting a field survey
Once you have read the instructions, obtained your map(s), planned your routes and have all your necessary equipment (binoculars, GPS (optional), field guides, data sheets, notebooks) you are ready to go out into the field to start collecting data. This is the best way to gain the necessary experience needed to become a seasoned atlaser.
The standard protocol is as follows:
- Spend at least two (2) hours recording as many different species in the pentad by visiting all (or as many different) habitats as possible.
This is known as the initial intensive survey, or grid bash. These surveys will help us get fairly comprehensive bird lists for each grid cell.
- Record the species in the order that you see and/or hear them. This will help us gauge which are likely to be the more common species in the pentad.
- Keep a note of the end of each hour during your initial intensive survey. This helps us work out how much effort you put in during each survey and which birds are easier detected than others.
- The maximum survey period for any one pentad is five (5) days. The initial intensive survey should, where possible, take place on day 1 of the five days and you can then add any new species (in the order that you see them) to the list over the next four days. A new survey or checklist should only be started after each five day period for each pentad. Keep track of how much time you spend (to the nearest hour) adding any new species after your initial intensive survey.
Extensions to the standard protocol:
The following additions have been made to the standard protocol in order to maximise data coverage for the project. They are summarized below - more detailed information can be obtained here.
- The initial intensive survey period does not have to be continuous (although this is preferred). If you need to exit and re-enter the pentad, or attend a meeting etc. just keep track of each 'hour' of fieldwork.
- You can add species seen prior to your initial intensive survey, e.g. you arrive at a campsite on the Friday night, make a list of species, but only carry out your grid bash on the Saturday, you can add any species not seen on Saturday but seen on Friday to your overall list. In other words, your intensive survey does not necessarily have to take place on Day 1.
- It is possible to atlas a pentad using a team of observers. The preferred way of doing this is for each team of observers to conduct their own intensive survey and use the longest list from these teams as the base list. Additional species can then be added using the other lists.
- Atlasing in suburbs (or complex pentads) can be daunting but this can also be done using a group-effort approach. Decide on a five day period and nominate one person to do the initial intensive survey (covering all or most of the habitats in the pentad). The other observers keep ordered lists during the five days and any new species can then be added to the main list after the survey period.
- You can also submit ad hoc records. This is where you are unable to spend at least two full hours in the pentad but can make a useful list of species. This includes making an ordered list for five days where no intensive survey can be carried out. You will need to keep track of the hours you spend compiling such a list.
Guidelines to help you maximise your atlas surveys:
- Try and conduct surveys in the morning, as this is when birds are most active
- Surveys should, where possible, be carried out in favourable weather conditions (strong wind, rain and cold temperatures usually keep many birds inactive during most parts of the day)
- A fairly good level of bird identification is required so that you are able to maximise the number of records (observations) during your surveys. This is important so that we get the best possible results from the project. Should you want to first improve your bird ID skills many bird clubs run bird identification courses and we encourage you to attend these as often as you can.
- Another good way to get to grips with bird identification (and atlas protocols) is to accompany an experienced atlaser during their surveys and learn from their knowledge and skills. This hands-on approach will allow you to see the ins and outs of how an atlas survey is conducted and one can always learn handy tips and advice from your 'mentor'.
- Remember the golden rule: IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT
- Access to certain areas may be limited or restricted. Try and arrange permission beforehand (if possible) to get into these areas. Please excercise strong birding and environmental ethics during your surveys: e.g. do not enter private property without the landowners permission, or disturb nesting birds or damage sensitive vegetation, etc.
- Try, where possible, to start your surveys for the same pentad at different points and try and use different routes. This contributes to the species ranking abundance analyses we will do at the end of the project.
- Please be aware of your saftey and security. Do not enter an area that looks unsafe, atlas in pairs or in small groups in remote areas and always carry a cell phone with you in case of an emergency.
- Lastly - do the best you can and have fun!
5. Attending a bird atlas workshop/presentation
To help potential atlasers get to grips with the new protocol and atlas resources and software, bird atlas workshops/presentations are being arranged by the project team at various venues around the country. These are advertised and updated on the website. Please contact the appropriate workshop/presentation facilitator to make enquiries.
Workshops or presentations can also be requested should your local area not feature in the advertised list. Please contact Doug Harebottle in this regard.
We look forward to having you on board as an active participant in SABAP2!
