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Guidelines for using the Wildlife Watch Observation Sheet
Observer Number
You will be designated an observer number, please record on each sheet used.
General Information
Please give as much detailed information as possible in your field observations. When observing wildlife try to disturb as little as possible. Useful information to record can be:
- Time – note whether day or night, dusk or dawn
- Health – does the animal look well, active, or does it appear to have any obvious physical ailments?
- Population or group numbers – Is there a family or group of animals
- Nesting, breeding, mating – Are the adults nesting or mating behaviour? Are young present, how many visible?
- Feeding, or any other Behaviour – it can be difficult to tell what exactly is going on, try to record details and not ‘second-guess’. If feeding, try to name what the food source is eg., blossoms of Sydney Red Gum.
Species Code
On the back of the observation sheet is a list of species with corresponding numbers (Species Code). These numbers correspond to the listing set out in the National Parks and Wildlife Service Atlas of NSW Wildlife that is used throughout the state to help gather field data on fauna and its current distribution. Information compiled will also be submitted to the NP&WS.
Species Name
The species listed have all been recorded in Pittwater area. Other fauna will be added in the future, as the listing is not definitive. Any species not listed but observed can be represented by a * in the species code box.
Vegetation Class
Refers to type of vegetation the animal is sighted in, during the observation.
Habitat
Recording the type of habitat gives very useful information about the requirements and needs of the various fauna observed. This can be extremely useful in practical management strategies for conserving and protecting threatened and endangered species.
Weather Conditions
Weather can have a major impact on what you see, and when. Some species may be migratory and only observed during specific months. Abundance of species may indicate a good year in food sources, which are often weather dependent. Gives good knowledge of the likelihood of certain species being present.