Samford Ecological Research Facility Bird Survey 

The TERN citizen science fauna monitoring pilot project aims to collect long-term monitoring data using the TERN standard monitoring protocol for birds. In May 2021, TERN launched a citizen science project designed to monitor bird biodiversity at the Samford Ecological Research Facility (SERF) in peri-urban Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in collaboration with Queensland University of Technology and the Samford Eco-Corridor community group. Bird monitoring is undertaken quarterly by citizen scientists using TERN standardised monitoring protocols which are based on the Birds Australia systematic bird survey ‘2 ha 20 minute search’ method. 

We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Samford Ecological Research Facility is managed by Queensland University of Technology. This work was jointly funded by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), an Australian Government National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) project, and the Queensland Government Research Infrastructure Co-investment Fund (RICF). 

Environmental contextual data collected alongside biodiversity data through this citizen science program. The two 2 hectare bird monitoring plots are aligned with TERN 'AusPlots' 1 hectare soil and vegetation monitoring plots at this site to provide fauna data alongside other environmental data collected at the SERF site. 

Bird surveys are conducted at the Samford Ecological Research Facility site. Bird surveys are conducted in 2 x 1 ha plots, using the Birdlife Australia survey technique from the Birdlife Australia Atlas Project. All birds either seen or heard were recorded within each plot for a duration of 20 mins.