Author/Instructor: auscraft
Description:
Demonstrate the ability to observe and record the wildlife in your immediate everyday environment. This will be done within an area covering 1 block of your residence however if you are on acreage of 5 or more acres you will only observe within your property. If you live in an appartment building or similar you may use local park for this activity.
Disclamer it may not be possible to use parks during certain times, also do not put yourself in harms way at anytime carring out these tasks.
Tools Required:
- Bincoulars or similar (not essential)
- Camera (not essential)
- Torch
- Note pad and pencil.
TIPS:
- taking a photo of an animal gives a good reference which can be looked up, rather than relying on memory or notes alone.
- You may also find helpful creating a species list from your state environmental Department for example the DPI in Qld.
- If you already own some binoculars, start by using them. If you think you would like to buy some then consider, binoculars are described with two numbers with an "x" between them such as 7x35or 10x42. The first number refers to the magnification power of the binocular. The second refers to the diameter of the front lens (in millimetres). A larger diameter lens means more light can enter the binocular and the image should be brighter. For example a 35mm lens will let in 3 times more light than a 20 mm. You may be tempted by the highest magnification binoculars you can get, but the down side to high magnification is that you will have a smaller field of view. This small field of view (especially over a relatively short distance) can make it more difficult to locate and follow animals, compared to a wider field of view. High magnification will also exaggerate any hand shaking or instability, unless you use a tripod or stand. Some high magnification binoculars can be quite heavy making them tiring to hold.
Size is another consideration. If you want to be able to hike and take binoculars with you, smaller and lighter will be easier to carry. Some binoculars offer coatings on the lenses, these are designed to improve contrast and reducing glare; however they are not all the same and some may not be effective at all (buyer beware)! These are some of the considerations when choosing binoculars. The best approach is to get as much advice as possible and try out as many different types as you can before you buy.
-There are many excellent books available at reasonable prices. Choose a book with clear pictures. Often books with skilfully drawn illustrations are better for identification than books with photos, because the illustrator can clearly emphasise the key identification points of a species. The book should have a brief written description of each species and indicate the areas where that bird is commonly observed.
- Also look for traces that may prove the animal exists even if not seen.
Materials:
- Outdoors
Reference Materials:
- BushcarftOz flora and fauna threads.
- Any of the current Australian animal field guides including state specific.
- The internet
Skills required:
- Patience,
- concealment,
- observation,
- photography and
- Identification.
Time needed: 24 hour period of time to complete task.
Learning Outcomes:
Animal identification is a useful skill and rewarding activity. This Project seeks to build knowledge about and become familiar with what is actually living in your local area. This Project shows how to gather the tools and skills necessary and learn about identifying your local species.
Assessment Criteria:
To successfully complete this project you must present:
- A written list of species found and includes any photos.
- Photos of the subject itself or traces of the animal will be used as evidence.
- You must include the date on which the task took place
- A general location.
- A list of references must be done including web links
- Animals that are listed should also be linked to BushcraftOz database for flora and fauna
- Any newly discovered animal not yet listed in BushcraftOz database should be added with note stating it is now added.
- Time the animal was observed (you may see an animal more than once. You can record the time or simply: dawn, morning, evening etc)
- A few words about what it was doing (eg foraging on the ground, walking along a fence etc)
- A few words about what traces the animal may have left behind (disturbed leaves, chew marks, scats, fur caught etc)
Instructions:
- To be completed within a 24 hour period
- To be done within 1block of residence, except if you live on 5 acres or more.
- Record any relevant information and observations made.
- DO NOT interfere with the wildlife in any way.
- Look for any traces that prove an animal is present but not seen.
- Record native and introduced species
- To observe animals you should choose a location which is concealed or unobtrusive (you may able to sit inside)
- Find a comfortable location and sit quietly, no sudden movements or sounds.
- Remember to spend some time at night as well as during the day. Many species are active only after dark. Often the first hour (or two) after the sun sets is a good time to observer these species.
- Pre-dawn is a great time to listen for a bird chorus. This is a time when many birds announce their presence to the neighbourhood.
- Sometimes you may hear the sound of animals, but not be able to see them (eg scurrying in leaves after dark, or bird calls). Record this information too.
-Look up ! Check for birds flying overhead during the day, and bats at night.
-At night possums may climb through trees, often (if it is still) you can hear branches gently shaking as they move about.
Tip: Using a red filter on torch will help with night observations also not harming or scaring the wildlife. Red coloured spot/Sensor lights can also be helpful around the house
IMPORTANT The BushcraftOz members and Moderators do not expect you to interfere with the wildlife causing unnecessary stress or affect its wellbeing in any form including interference with nests, bedding areas or altering in any shape or form of the habitat they exist within.
Description:
Demonstrate the ability to observe and record the wildlife in your immediate everyday environment. This will be done within an area covering 1 block of your residence however if you are on acreage of 5 or more acres you will only observe within your property. If you live in an appartment building or similar you may use local park for this activity.
Disclamer it may not be possible to use parks during certain times, also do not put yourself in harms way at anytime carring out these tasks.
Tools Required:
- Bincoulars or similar (not essential)
- Camera (not essential)
- Torch
- Note pad and pencil.
TIPS:
- taking a photo of an animal gives a good reference which can be looked up, rather than relying on memory or notes alone.
- You may also find helpful creating a species list from your state environmental Department for example the DPI in Qld.
- If you already own some binoculars, start by using them. If you think you would like to buy some then consider, binoculars are described with two numbers with an "x" between them such as 7x35or 10x42. The first number refers to the magnification power of the binocular. The second refers to the diameter of the front lens (in millimetres). A larger diameter lens means more light can enter the binocular and the image should be brighter. For example a 35mm lens will let in 3 times more light than a 20 mm. You may be tempted by the highest magnification binoculars you can get, but the down side to high magnification is that you will have a smaller field of view. This small field of view (especially over a relatively short distance) can make it more difficult to locate and follow animals, compared to a wider field of view. High magnification will also exaggerate any hand shaking or instability, unless you use a tripod or stand. Some high magnification binoculars can be quite heavy making them tiring to hold.
Size is another consideration. If you want to be able to hike and take binoculars with you, smaller and lighter will be easier to carry. Some binoculars offer coatings on the lenses, these are designed to improve contrast and reducing glare; however they are not all the same and some may not be effective at all (buyer beware)! These are some of the considerations when choosing binoculars. The best approach is to get as much advice as possible and try out as many different types as you can before you buy.
-There are many excellent books available at reasonable prices. Choose a book with clear pictures. Often books with skilfully drawn illustrations are better for identification than books with photos, because the illustrator can clearly emphasise the key identification points of a species. The book should have a brief written description of each species and indicate the areas where that bird is commonly observed.
- Also look for traces that may prove the animal exists even if not seen.
Materials:
- Outdoors
Reference Materials:
- BushcarftOz flora and fauna threads.
- Any of the current Australian animal field guides including state specific.
- The internet
Skills required:
- Patience,
- concealment,
- observation,
- photography and
- Identification.
Time needed: 24 hour period of time to complete task.
Learning Outcomes:
Animal identification is a useful skill and rewarding activity. This Project seeks to build knowledge about and become familiar with what is actually living in your local area. This Project shows how to gather the tools and skills necessary and learn about identifying your local species.
Assessment Criteria:
To successfully complete this project you must present:
- A written list of species found and includes any photos.
- Photos of the subject itself or traces of the animal will be used as evidence.
- You must include the date on which the task took place
- A general location.
- A list of references must be done including web links
- Animals that are listed should also be linked to BushcraftOz database for flora and fauna
- Any newly discovered animal not yet listed in BushcraftOz database should be added with note stating it is now added.
- Time the animal was observed (you may see an animal more than once. You can record the time or simply: dawn, morning, evening etc)
- A few words about what it was doing (eg foraging on the ground, walking along a fence etc)
- A few words about what traces the animal may have left behind (disturbed leaves, chew marks, scats, fur caught etc)
Instructions:
- To be completed within a 24 hour period
- To be done within 1block of residence, except if you live on 5 acres or more.
- Record any relevant information and observations made.
- DO NOT interfere with the wildlife in any way.
- Look for any traces that prove an animal is present but not seen.
- Record native and introduced species
- To observe animals you should choose a location which is concealed or unobtrusive (you may able to sit inside)
- Find a comfortable location and sit quietly, no sudden movements or sounds.
- Remember to spend some time at night as well as during the day. Many species are active only after dark. Often the first hour (or two) after the sun sets is a good time to observer these species.
- Pre-dawn is a great time to listen for a bird chorus. This is a time when many birds announce their presence to the neighbourhood.
- Sometimes you may hear the sound of animals, but not be able to see them (eg scurrying in leaves after dark, or bird calls). Record this information too.
-Look up ! Check for birds flying overhead during the day, and bats at night.
-At night possums may climb through trees, often (if it is still) you can hear branches gently shaking as they move about.
Tip: Using a red filter on torch will help with night observations also not harming or scaring the wildlife. Red coloured spot/Sensor lights can also be helpful around the house
IMPORTANT The BushcraftOz members and Moderators do not expect you to interfere with the wildlife causing unnecessary stress or affect its wellbeing in any form including interference with nests, bedding areas or altering in any shape or form of the habitat they exist within.
Last edited by a moderator: