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 2009 surveys will be held on Saturday 20th June, Saturday 4th and Saturday 18th July.
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