How do I register to become involved in the annual count for Red-tails?

All volunteers interested in participating in the annual count for the cockatoo are required to register their interest with the Project Coordinator.

The next Annual Cocky Count for the nationally endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo will be held on Saturday 1 May 2021. 

There are around 60 sites in stringybark forest to be covered on the day from Keith to Mount Gambier in South Australia and from Little Desert National Park to Nelson in Victoria. Landholders within the Red-tail range are also welcome to survey their own patches of stringybark on the day.

For more information about the count and what's involved on the day please read our 2021 Annual Count Volunteer Information Sheet.

Registrations will continue to be taken up to two weeks before the count; however we highly recommend registering well before to secure your preferred search area. We try our very best to allocate sites according to preference, but unfortunately this is not always possible depending on who has registered prior.

Changes due to Covid-19

Due to Covid-19 restrictions we have introduced a few changes to the event due to government health regulations to ensure the health and safety of participants. These include:

-In Victoria, there can be between 2-4 participants per vehicle, if the participants are family/friends. Passengers must wear face masks if they are not from the same household.

-In South Australia, there can be between 2-4 participants per vehicle, if the participants are family/friends. Passengers are not required to wear face masks.

-ALL vehicles are required to carry hand sanitiser/hand washing facilities.

-Volunteers will be allocated based on the state that each person resides in, due to possible border closures. This means that if you live in SA you will be allocated a site in SA, and if you live in Victoria you will be allocated a site in Victoria.

-The training session in Casterton will still be going ahead with social distancing to be maintained at all times. We are also aiming to develop a training video that will be uploaded onto the website before count day that volunteers can watch if they prefer.

-Participants will not be able to take part in the count if they exhibit cold or flu-like symptoms leading up to the day or have reason to self-isolate.

-Unfortunately we have decided to cancel the Annual Bailey’s Rocks campout this year. We know that many volunteers look forward to the campout as a way to relax after a busy day of counting cockies and to share stories with others. However, the health and safety of our volunteers must come first, and the decision has been made in the best interests of all.

We also want participants to be aware that these rules have been formed based on current regulations. If there are further restrictions brought in place then new rules will be introduced accordingly. 

The Recovery Team are continuing to stay up-to-date with regards to the latest health updates around COVID-19 and will alert registered participants to any additional changes that come into effect.

To register your interest or secure your search area for Saturday 1 May 2021, please contact the Project Coordinator Kelsey Bennett on 1800 262 062 or email redtail@birdlife.org.au.

Alternatively you can fill in the form below to register your interest.

Register to become involved

First Name*

Surname

Postcode*

Phone no

Your Email*

Site preference (i.e. eastern part of range; around Casterton etc)

Annual Count Training Required: *

Yes  No

Have you participated in the count previously?*

Yes  No

Do you have a 4WD?*

Yes  No

Do you have your own search group or would you like to join in with another group?*

Optional stringybark seed monitoring activity

Yes I want to be involved

Comments/Notes:

Add me to your mailing list:

Yes  No

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