Dawn Survey
The group holds a Dawn Survey annually, with the assistance of Parks Victoria. The group also invites volunteers to help. Everyone meets at Grants Picnic Ground before dawn. A member of the group gives a short talk on the objectives of the survey and volunteers are then allocated a numbered post somewhere in the forest, where they wait until dawn breaks, listening for the first calls of the mature male lyrebirds. When a male lyrebird starts calling, the start and finish times of the calls, the compass direction and approximate distance are recorded. These bearings and distances are plotted on a map, and the intersections indicate the position of the lyrebird.
The Park rangers provide a delicious breakfast and a most welcome hot drink in front of a warm fire.
The 2010 surveys will be held on Saturday 19th June, Saturday 3rd and Saturday 17th July at Grants Picnic Ground at 6am.
There is no obligation to attend all three mornings. Please bring a torch, a compass, a watch, a pen and to wear warm clothing and a smile!
Coming to the dawn survey is a great way to learn more about lyrebirds, meet other people interested in lyrebirds, and to help support the conservation of lyrebirds.
For more information on the group or to book a place at the Dawn Surveys, email
Jan Incoll: bincoll@melbpc.org.au
or Alex Maisey: alexmaisey@hotmail.com
Volunteer Bill Incoll entering the data into the mapping program
Park Rangers Anthony and Trevor cooking a delicious breakfast for the volunteers