Month: January 2015

For a second time this month, a BIG thank-you to Gerry and Carolyn!

On 24 January, Gerry and Carolyn conducted an extra count for the month. They reported 7,270 / 7,317 incoming PIPs (concurrent independent counts), numbers slightly higher than at the beginning of January (see details).

Counting was particularly challenging because incoming PIPs were flying extremely low over the water, different to the flight pattern Gerry and Carolyn usually see. They thought Northerly winds (contrary to the direction of flight) might have influenced the birds’ behaviour.

The latest count was conducted on 2 January, an afternoon with light winds and heavy cloud. Observers recorded a total of 6702 / 6669 incoming birds in their concurrent independent counts of the same birds. Despite a slow start, incoming PIP numbers increased rapidly after a passing rainstorm had cleared.

Once again many thanks to Gerry and Carolyn, true heroes of Green Island PIP monitoring.