2018 Gippsland Lakes Great Pelican Count

Survey Form

Name of lead observer(s): / Telephone: / Email:
Name of additional observer(s): / Telephone: / Email:
Date: / Start time: / Finish time:
Site code: / GPS location: / Latitude / Longitude
Site Address / Location:
What is the main type of activity the Pelicans are doing: (tick box)
□Feeding □Roosting/Loafing □Other:
Australian Pelican Count
You may wish to tally Pelican as they fly across an imaginary line in the sky:
(for example: 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 17, 2, 24, 2, 3, 3, 1, ... ) / Sub-totals
Total Number of Australian Pelicans at site
General direction from which Pelicans arrived: / □North□South□East□West □Other (e.g. SW):

If you are familiar with the BirdLife Australia Birdata app please feel

free to use it for the Great Pelican Count

If you don’t see any Pelicans, please let us know!

Please return your survey results even if you get a nil result – it is equally important for us to know if the Pelicans aren’t there.

** Once you have completed this form, please return to BirdLife as soon as possible **

via email:

via post:

Deb Sullivan, BirdLife Australia

Suite 5, 60 Leicester St,

Carlton, VIC,

How to Do a site Count

1) Arrive at your allocated count site at least 10 minutes before so you are in position and ready to record birds already at the site or as they arrive.

2) Count all of the Australian Pelicans at the site for 30 mins ;from 11:30am till 12 noon

  • Count all Pelicans already at the site and count flying Pelicans as they approach and land at the site
  • Draw an imaginary line across the sky and count the number of Pelicans as they cross the line. Roads or powerlines work well.
  • When possible, record the count of Pelicans in each group as they cross the count line (e.g. 4, 1, 3, 10 3, 2, 6, 1, 3).
  • For large flocks, work out how big a group of 10 Pelicans is and use this to decide the size of the whole flock, e.g. if the group of 10 Pelicans fits into the flock four times, there are 40 Pelicans in the flock.
  • Do not record Pelicans that fly over the top of your site and do not stop there in your actual count numbers– these birds may be going to another person’s survey site. Record these in comments section only
  • If you don’t see any Pelicans, don’t despair – it is just as important to record that no Pelicans were present at that site. Records of presence and absence help us determine patterns of occupancy across the GPC survey area.

3) Equipment to bring: survey form, clipboard, pen/pencil, binoculars, compass, GPS (if you have one), watch, map, chair/blanket, water/snacks, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent.

4) Send completed forms to BirdLife Australia:

via email:

via post:Deb Sullivan,

Great Pelican Count Coordinator,

BirdLife Australia

Suite 5, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, Vic , 3053

Please note our safety advice for volunteers taking part in the survey:

  • We wish to remind you that you are responsible for your own safety while taking part in Pelican counts. In addition, you must complete our volunteer registration process before undertaking site counts.
  • Always let someone know when you are going and when you expect to return.
  • Wear sturdy, enclosed shoes or walking boots, protective clothing and be prepared for adverse conditions. Carry sufficient food and water. Apply sunscreen and wear a hat
  • You must be fully capable of physical mobility & moderately physically fit to participate in the survey.
  • If children are present, they must be supervised by an adult at all times.
  • Survey in groups of at least two people to maximize safety & improve the reliability of survey results.
  • If surveying a site close to a road, beware of traffic.
  • Ensure all safety precautions are observed when near water.
  • Do not leave children unattended near water

For inquiries about the 2018 Gippsland Lakes Great Pelican Count please contact Deb Sullivan, Great Pelican Count Coordinator, at or 0459 835 793