Protocols web

Protocols are standardised ways of collecting data linked to a geometry (points, transects or polygons). The methodology to follow depends on the study's goal. A country administrator will grant you access if you meet certain criteria. Not all protocols are available in all countries. See which protocols are available in which country at.... and see which criteria at....

Too access your list of protocols, go to Menu > Take part > All my protocol. It lists all protocols you have access to in this local portal (see image below).

Accessing protocols.

If you have access to protocols, you have access to it by Submit button or by the menu Take part, Transmit my sightings or Menu Take part All my protocols

Waterbird Protocol (web)

Access your protocol from Menu > Take part > All my protocol and search for the protocol you want to work at. You will be able to download the map to survey, enter data or edit the protocol.

Download map

Print WBC map.

1. Check to print the map with 50% of transparency (see image Map compare: left normal, right 50% transparency as an example).
2. Check to print the map in black and white.
3.
4. Choose from the expandable menu the map layer you would like to print.
5. Click on pdf icon to download the map as a pdf.
Click on the magnifying icon (encircled) to display the polygon on a map on the screen (see example).

Add observations

Click on add observations (see image below) in the protocol you need to enter data.

Add observations to protocol.

Entering observations to a Waterbird census protocol.

Starting the protocol

A new panel will require you to enter general parameters regarding the protocol (see image below). Field marked with an asterisk are mandatory.

Waterbird census protocol parameters.

1. Enter date

Choose from the expandable menu the date the survey took place.

2. Enter starting time

Enter the time the census started.

3. Ending time

Enter the time the census ended.

4. Enter comments

Choose from the tabs and type. Note the number of tabs and the information required may differ from country to country:

• Comment: if the comment will refer to a general observation,
  
• Additional observer: if you name other observer/s participating in the census, or
  
• Important changes: to note important changes from your previous visit, like noise, pollution or construction work.
  

5. Hide all records from the public

Check if you do not want other users to see your records.

6. Parameters

Enter parameters required for your polygon. Note fields and the order in which they appear may differ from country to country. You may not encounter all possible fields described underneath.

Comment: You may enter a comment if you find it appropiate.

Important changes: Indicate if there have been major changes since your last visit.

Additional observer: Indicate if you are accompanied by someone whose observations are also recorded.

Ice: Indicate the percentatge of water surface that is frozen.

Snow coverage: Indicate the proportion of snow cover.

Count type: Tick roost count if you are counting roosting birds, or during day otherwise.

Count method: Indicate if you are surveying from the ground, the air, the water, a different way, or if it is unknown.

Optical equipment: Indicate which equipment you are using for the survey, if any. Note you can only choose one option.

Coverage: Indicate how much of the designated polygon is covered in the survey.

Water level: Indicate the water level.

Visibility: Indicate the approximate distance within which it is possible to identify species.

Waves: Indicate how are the waves.

Conditions in general: Choose how are surveying conditions overall regarding weather and disturbances, and indicate on next section the reason if surveying conditions are not good.

Reason(s) for moderate / bad conditions: If general conditions indicated above are noot good, open the expandable menu and choose the reason (see image below). Only one option is possible: choose the one that better adjusts to reality.

Reasons for bad conditions.

Count payed: Indicate if the count is payed for or not.

Number of persons on shore~: Enter number.

Number of rowing boats: Enter number.

Number of motor boats: Enter number

Number of sailing boats: Enter number

Number of canoes/kayaks: Enter number.

Number of fishing boats: Enter number.

Number of sports divers: Enter number.

Number of surfers: Enter number.

Waterbird Census Protocol parameters II.

7. No species were seen

Check if your survey did not provide any data. Surveys with no species are also important results! It will mean you followed the established methodology, and therefore your survey is valid, but no birds were present. They can indicate major population changes and are of extreme importance for conservation purposes.

8. Continue with the basic list

Select to record only the species strictly related to the protocol (ie. ducks). Which species belong to a basic list is determined by each local portal and may differ from one to another.

9. Continue with the extended list

Select to enter the species strictly related to the protocol (ie. ducks) along with other related ones (ie. egrets). Species included in a basic list and an extended list are determined by each local portal and may differ from country to country.

"My survey did not provide any data" Surveys with no species are also important results! Please submit them. It will mean you followed the established methodology but no birds were present. It can be due to methodology, disturbance, pollution or other major population changes and may be of extreme importance for conservation purposes.

Entering observations

Enter observations as if entering a list. See wiki section Web interface > Submitting records > Step 3/3: Transmit my sighting > If accessed from a list> List section if further information is needed.

Ending list on Waterbird Census protocol.

Ending the protocol

When all species are recorded, indicate

I recorded all species of the programme if you identified and recorded all species seen or heard that are of interest to the Waterbird Census protocol, or

I recorded all species (=full observation lis) if besides all species of interest to the protocol, you also identified and recorded all other species seen or heard. Note you can onlly record in this list species identified wihtin the designated polygon. Any species recorded outside of the polygon should be submitted as an individual record.