I took part in the Australian Pollinator Count today. To have your results included in the official study you had to get 80% on their identification test. I am a complete novice at bugs, so I had to go through the information a few times before I managed 80%.
I went outside and picked the plant that had the most insects buzzing around which happened to be my parsley which has just flowered. The online count automatically starts the 2-minute timer once you’ve entered location, plant and weather details and then there are buttons for each category of pollinators that you just click every time you see a new insect. My count:
6 flies (other)
2 hover flies
2 ladybugs
If I have time tomorrow I may do a second count.
Have you ever joined a citizen science project?
Comments
9 responses to “Australian Pollinator Count”
Oh wow! No, I have never joined a citizen science project but that sounds so cool.
Good for you for participating!
You do science for your work. I enjoy doing things like this, and I’m sure the data must be helpful for scientists in these areas.
Oh that is amazing.
I love that you can sign up for that.
I would be game but I have never heard of anything like either.
Maybe do a google search to see if anything is in your area.
I have never heard of a citizen science project. I don’t think we have them here in the US, unless you count composting or recycling? I’m the kind of person who would rather steer clear of bugs vs count them. 😉
You have plenty of projects in the US, I’ve done another post about it. I’m not a massive fan of bugs, but don’t mind most of the ones we were counting, and we just had to look, not touch.
Not only have I never joined such a project, I’ve never even heard of one!
I’m sure they’d have some over your way
I’m actually not sure what types of projects would be “citizen science projects”, Melissa. And I have not examined pollinators in any systematic way. For your information, I am an engineer, and I work with 3D Printers. Although, I think that you’re going to take even more pictures of pollinators in the future, Melissa.