Project updates
Let me start this post by reflecting on what was a massive season for cicadas in NSW and other eastern states and territories. That was also reflected in the observations recorded here in the project. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the project during the previous season. Give yourselves a pat on the back!
A few broad stats to digest from the season 2017/2018:
- 1,347 observations between Sept 2017 and April 2018 which is more than the previous two seasons combined!
- 55 new members signed up to the project this season.
- Several species were recorded for the first time since this project began in 2015, most notably including the Cherrynose and Double Drummer.
Only four months until the next season! ;-)
We are currently working behind the scenes on the data with the aim to have it published and open-access. We held back on the data from the first year as we decided to wait to include multiple season data. We will keep you updated on this progress.
A few changes to the project here to mention. Firstly you may notice the project page looks very different! We have been entrusted by iNaturalist to become a "Collections Project". This means that this project will now have the capacity to automatically take in as many observations on the iNaturalist database as it can. Because of this, I have made some restrictions to the project. Notably, and unsurprisingly, observations will now only be added to this project if they taxonomically fall under the Cicadidae family (which includes all of the Australian cicadas species). This does mean however that if you don't know what the species is when you record it, it will need to be entered as "Typical cicadas" to be included initially. Geographically, observations will be included if they are from NSW (or ACT as well). This is now reflected in the Project title (as I have lifted the restriction on the Sydney Region). Depending on how the automatic observation intake goes now being a Collections Project, the geographical extent may be adjusted.
As always if you have any questions feel free to contact me at: nje.seed@gmail.com
Comments
An excellent outcome for the initiative Nathan. Let's hope for some winter rain in NSW to bring forth the 2018-9 season from September
I was one of the 55 new members who signed up to the project this year. I learned heaps and loved every minute of it! Already looking forward to next season!
We joined this summer too and had a great time logging our finds on our adventure walks, including our first Double Drummer. Many thanks for expanding north- its great to know our observations are useful to more than just us. Looking forward to the first chirps in spring.
Warm regards,
Oscar (aged 12) and Shaylee
Wonderful Oscar1- always looking for sharp young ears and eyes!
Thanks @joelp and @oscar1 for your support - you both recorded plenty of excellent finds this past season!
We'll be continuing to aim to build on the past seasons to understand more about cicada ecology. We will also be hoping to eventually roll out more resources to help with identification in the field!
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