Lake Mac City will participate in GSB 2023.
We hope you can join in to increase the number of observations recorded.
Maybe get a group together and head out during the bioblitz.
Here's the link to the project- if you join it, you will get a reminder closer to the date.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/great-southern-bioblitz-2023-lake-mac-city
With 2022 wrapping up, it's time to add 2023 and 2024 dates into your calendars.
The GSB team have scheduled 2023 for last weekend in November with 2024 the last weekend in September. The aim is to provide opportunities for all areas, and continents, to maximise Spring observations over time.
A full rundown on the 2022 Great Southern Bioblitz highlights can be found https://www.greatsouthernbioblitz.org/gsb2022highlights
Don't forget to check in on your observations during the year to see if they have reached research grade - sometimes it takes a little time.
Finally, a reminder where possible to take (and upload) your species from a couple of angles to assist identification.
Huge thanks to everyone who has uploaded images so far.
Amazing work everyone- thank you.
If you have a genus, or species, you have knowledge of, and are able to assist with IDs , that would be helpful especially insects.
The more records that can be elevated to research grade, the better the Lake Mac City tally for this year's GSB!
Not long now and it looks like the weather will just hold out here in Lake Mac City.
Monday's challenge is to add five species that you don't know and five that you do!
You then have 14 Days to upload your images taken during the Bioblitz but don't leave it too late - many people then decide its just too hard or time consuming!
Work on uploading a few each day.
Thanks again for participating.
Margo
Did you know if you were observing in a small(ish) area you can pin the location and it is much quicker each time you add a record rather tahn move through "google earth"
Observing moths is very easy; you don’t even have to actively look for them.
By using two simple methods to attract moths, all you have to do is wait for them to come to you. Moths are attracted to light and also to the smell of fermented sugar and ripe fruit – both food sources.
Any type of light will attract moths. Just leave an outside light on and wait and see what is attracted to it. If you are in an open area or bushland, you can use battery-operated lights or even a flashlight.
Moths need a surface to rest on. White sheets are often used. Hang a sheet over clothes line or between two trees, and shine the light on it. An outside wall also works well if your light is set up near a house or a building.
Wait for the moths to come to your light so you can observe and photograph them.
During the day some moths like the Sphinx moth are active, while those active at night find somewhere to settle and hide.
Unfortunately Night #1 in my backyard was unsuccessful but there is always tomorrow!
The most important thing is to have fun while learning.
If you are new to iNaturalist, there is an amazing resource list to assist with questions you may have plus tutorials to assist you to upload your observations.
Simply head to the Help tab
https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/help
A final reminder 'before the games begin': images must be taken within the 96 hours of the BioBlitz but you have 14 days from the start of the BioBlitz to upload your observations.
Thanks for participating!
Observing moths is very easy; you don’t even have to actively look for them.
By using two simple methods to attract moths, all you have to do is wait for them to come to you. Moths are attracted to light and also to the smell of fermented sugar and ripe fruit – both food sources.
Any type of light will attract moths. Just leave an outside light on and wait and see what is attracted to it. If you are in an open area or bushland, you can use battery-operated lights or even a flashlight.
Moths need a surface to rest on. White sheets are often used. Hang a sheet over clothesline or between two trees and shine the light on it. An outside wall also works well if your light is set up near a house or a building.
Wait for the moths to come to your light so you can observe and photograph them.
During the day some moths like the Sphinx moth are active, while those active at night find somewhere to settle and hide.
Not long now until this year's Bioblitz. I'm excited to try the new challenges set by the team:
5 on Friday -document five species on Friday 28 October
moth night- set up a white sheet one evening and record moth species
shake a tree -put a sheet under a tree and give it a shake and record what insects fall off
listen and see - upload an audio, something you have never seen before and something you have
I would also add to the challenge to grab a friend and get them involved-.
Watching your observation tally and species count rise can get a little addictive, especially if you are competitive, and observing our local biodiversity definitely fires up curiosity as to what and who are either visiting or living in our backyards and local bushland areas regardless of age!
I'm pleased Lake Mac City has been involved since the inaugural event in 2020 and looking forward to watching what species are uploaded, this year's event is being held a month later than 2020 & 2021 so maybe we will have some new seasonal species added!
Enjoy everyone!
