Swooping into community science
by Heather Leggett
You’d be lucky to find a handful of Australians without a memory involving an ice-cream container as a make-shift helmet, a tall tree and a mad magpie. But South Australians are being asked to look at our black and white feathered friends in a different light this month, all in the name of science.
The colourful life of our monochrome mates will come under the microscope as part of Operation Magpie, a ‘citizen science’ initiative that represents the future of science – one where the entire community gets involved in scientific observation.
A venture between UniSA’s Barbara Hardy Centre for Sustainable Urban Environments, the Department for Environment and Heritage and 891ABC Adelaide, Operation Magpie is the latest in a trio of successful initiatives that aim to better understand the behaviour of our local wildlife.
While Operation Bluetongue in 2007 and Operation Possum in 2008 had an overwhelming public response, Professor Chris Daniels, Director of the Barbara Hardy Centre, believes that Operation Magpie will be the partnership’s most successful operation yet.
"It is common to see at least one magpie everyday," he says.
"That means that they are highly accessible and easy to observe in a natural environment. We’re asking for everyone to get outside and experience what it’s like to be an animal behaviourist for a day."
Adelaide local Meg Schwarz who’ll be getting involved in Operation Magpie this year, has a lifetime love of the cheeky birds. Now a magpie advocate, Schwarz had an experience six years ago that changed life as she knew it.
"I was driving home and saw an injured magpie in the middle of the road," she recalls. "Nobody was stopping for the poor little thing.
"We took him home, nursed him to health and fell in love. Six years on, he’s part of the family."
Other South Australians who want to get involved in the community science project, just need to log onto the Operation Magpie website where they can access useful information on magpie behaviour. After observing a magpie for 20 minutes, participants will be asked to complete an online survey about their findings.
Prof Daniels says that you might be surprised by what you see.
"We’ve all had our own swooping experience, but what you might not know about magpies is that they’re highly intelligent, eat common garden pests and have a glorious range of songs," he says.
"They’re funny too – they love to muscle in on things and interact with other birds. I’ve heard so many personal stories about them that are just fascinating," he says.
The beauty of citizen science says Prof Daniels, is in the volume and quality of data that can be collected.
"The way this data is collected is a world first. We’ll be able to compare city data with more regional data on a grand scale," he says.
"And while we get the benefit of the scientific data, people will get the benefit of feeling connected to the environment. There is a huge difference between passively seeing a bird in your backyard and actively observing and recording its behaviour. It’s a real awakening."
Schools can also get involved this year. The Barbara Hardy Centre has developed a broad range of educational materials for primary and middle school classes that can be accessed by teachers.
So this month, try something a little different. Put away the ice-cream bucket helmet, grab a notepad and head into your backyard all in the name of scientific discovery.
For more information visit the Barbara Hardy Centre homepage.