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Shire of Kalamunda hosting workshop ahead of Great Cocky Count

Sally McGlewMidland Kalamunda Reporter

AUSTRALIA’S Great Cocky Count is on again this year and the Shire of Kalamunda is running a Great Cocky Count workshop on Wednesday February 22 to help people prepare for the night.

Once a year, an army of volunteers heads to cocky hotspots across southwestern WA to count the birds as they fly in to roost around sunset.

The information gathered tells researchers at BirdLife Australia how WA’s endangered black cockatoos numbers are in the region, and guides the carer’s actions to protect the endangered birds.

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The February workshop will teach participants about black cockatoo conversation and how to identify cockatoos in the wild.

“The Great Cocky Count is a great way for people to get involved in citizen science and conservation,” project co-ordinator Adam Peck said.

“Once people take part in the Great Cocky Count, they want come back year after year, and they often bring their friends.

“Last year over 700 people took part, and this year we’d like to see even more.

“The more volunteers that participate, the better we can understand how the cockies are doing throughout the state. You don’t need any experience to be a part of the Great Cocky Count – all you need to do is register and we’ll allocate a roost site for you to visit.

“We’ll also provide all the information you’ll need to be a Great Cocky Counter.”

The count takes one hour.

Previous counts have shownCarnaby’s black cockatoos are declining at 10 per cent a year around Perth, which puts them in danger of becoming extinct.

The workshop runs from 6pm-8pm at the Gooseberry Hill Multi Use Facility at 42 Ledger Road in Gooseberry Hill.

To register RSVP by February 20, as places are limited.

Contact the Shire of Kalamunda on 9257 9999 or email environment@kalamunda.wa.gov.au.

This year’s Great Cocky Count is on Sunday April 9, with registrations closing on Friday March 19.

Sign up at www.birdlife.org.au/projects/southwest-black-cockatoo-recovery/great-cocky-count-swbc.