A pair of Forest red-tailed black cockatoos.
Camera IconA pair of Forest red-tailed black cockatoos. Credit: Supplied/Keith Lightbody

Great Cocky Count: call goes out for volunteers

Laura PondWanneroo Times

VOLUNTEERS are needed to be part of this year’s Great Cocky Count.

Birdlife WA runs the annual event that relies on people to count black cockatoos as they fly in to roost to help researchers establish how the endangered birds are faring in the region.

Project organiser Adam Peck said more than 700 people took part last year and they are hoping for more this time.

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“The more volunteers that participate, the better we can understand how the cockies are doing throughout the state,” he said.

“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.

“The count only takes an hour, but the results can have a lasting effect.”

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Mr Peck said previous counts had shown the cockatoos’ population around Perth was declining by 10 per cent each year and they were in danger of becoming extinct.

A series of workshops will run ahead of the event to teach people about the cockatoos and what to do.

The Great Cocky Count is on April 9 and people can register at bit.ly/1VO84zh before March 19.