30 years of CAR counts: An OCG origin story
It’s not possible to separate the history of the Overberg Crane Group and Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts, more commonly known as CAR counts. These CAR counts, which have birders turning into citizen scientists twice a year for a day, have become well known across South Africa. What’s more, the data collected during the counts have played a vital role in driving conservation measures.
Just 30 years ago, citizen science was not as popular as it is today in South Africa. And at the time, the Blue Crane faced huge threats – especially in the Overberg; home to more than half the population of our national bird.
Given these threats, the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) of the University of Cape Town teamed up with OCG members in 1993 to specifically monitor populations of Blue Cranes and Denham’s Bustards in the Overberg.
This became the first of the CAR counts in South Africa, with 15 routes initially undertaken to monitor bird numbers.
Today CAR counts still take place across the country. Nationally there are 350 fixed routes, covering more than 19 000 km, that citizen scientists drive twice a year.
How does it work?
The goal is to look for terrestrial birds selected by the ADU and count their numbers during the drive. Birders stop at regular two km intervals, scan the landscape, and jot down the numbers of these birds they see. In the Overberg, species such as Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard, Black Harrier, Secretarybirds and Southern Black Korhaan are included on the list.
Given that the counts take place at the same time every year, and on the same routes, we now have 30 years of data collected by citizen scientists, many of them farmers, and all of them bird lovers. These data can highlight concerns in terms of population numbers and trends. Researchers also use these data to highlight the need for conservation action.
In the Overberg, all 15 of the original routes are still monitored by keen birders, once on the last Saturday of January, and then again on the last Saturday of July.
How can you get involvED?
The ADU does like consistency during the CAR counts, and ideally would like to encourage the same group of birders to join the counts regularly. So, if you are keen to help collect data, while enjoying a lovely day out, it’s good to try to commit for the long term.
1. The first step is to register as a participant in order to get an observer number. The registration takes place via the CAR count sister project, SABAP2. Click on this link and fill in the short form to get your observer number.
2. Once you’re registered, get in touch with Tania Anderson at sabap2@birdlife.org.za who can then connect you with participants in your area.
Ideally you should join experienced participants first to get a feel for the outing. With some practice you could then be allocated your own route in time, should the need arise.
For more information on the CAR counts and how to get involved, visit: www.car.birdmap.africa
Images: www.car.birdmap.africa