The Vanuatu Bird Records Database

Objectives
- To encourage bird watchers to record what they see in Vanuatu and to capture these lists.
- To accumulate records from all the islands of Vanuatu and surrounding waters. Coverage map.
- To accumulate records from all months of the year. Coverage map.
- To continue accumulating records in the long term.
- To assist conservation of the regions bird life with an improved understanding of the distribution and abundance of Vanuatu's birds.

Applications
- Species distributions.
- Breeding distribution and timing.
- Shorebird and waterfowl numbers (where counted).
- Seasonality.
- Identify important sites.
- Monitoring.

Support
Bird distributions are expected to change over time in response to changes in the environment, especially habitat loss and degradation. If the rate of survey accumulation is very slow it will be very difficult to resolve these changes. Birds Australia receives more than 500 surveys per week (Barrett et al, 2003). Without exceptional support we might be lucky to get more than 100 surveys per year.

Vanuatu is a small nation with very few resident bird watchers and no longer has a functional natural science society. Much of the biodiversity survey work and other environmental projects in Vanuatu today are snapshots with a scope and duration limited by the extent of donor funding. After projects are completed, much data may be 'lost'. This bird atlas project relies on recruiting skilled observers, preferably with local experience. We expect that help from visiting birders from overseas will be needed. If you're a local birder or have been birding recently in Vanuatu or are planning a trip we want your lists. Making a contribution.