Survey: How to Survey

Three golden rules

You must set your intention to survey in advance of heading into the field. You will bias the data set if you commence a survey because you have just heard a kea. Your intention can be defined as a set route (e.g. if you are tramping a track and don’t know how long it will take), or a set time (e.g. if you are hunting and don’t know exactly where you’ll end up).
Having decided in advance that you intend to survey, you need to continue surveying for the entire route (or period) that you said you would survey.
You must enter your results regardless of whether or not you encountered kea. Failure to do so will also bias the data set. An hour with no kea is as important as an hour with kea.

Download and print a survey form, or sketch one up in your notebook
Set yourself up with a means of telling which grid tiles you visit (map and/or GPS) .
You must be outside to survey, without heavy background noise.
Begin surveying at the first whole hour after starting your activity.
If you see or hear kea, write Y in the kea box for the hour (regardless of the number of kea).
Complete the form for all hours on the form (grey hours to be completed in summer only). Write an X if you are not surveying (e.g. haven’t started yet, having lunch in a hut, finished for the day).
Record the largest group of kea you saw during the day.
Submit your survey online. Thanks!

Can I correct mistakes in my data entry?: Not yet, but it’s coming soon. Until then, please email jkemp@doc.govt.nz to have it corrected.
What do I do if I forgot my grid tile map?: Don’t worry, you can still survey. Just keep a diary of your locations and make a best-guess when you get home.
How would I record an hour split between two or more tiles?: Record the tile you spent the most time in.
What if I hear a kea when I’m inside a vehicle or hut?: This cannot be used here, however feel free to log a casual encounter at keadatabase.nz.
What if I see a banded kea while surveying?: The encounter is relevant to your survey, but the band sighting is not. The band sighting should be logged at keadatabase.nz.
What if I start my activity part way through an hour?: The hour should be marked X (Not Surveying). Start surveying at the next whole hour.
What if I stop my activity part way through an hour (e.g. lunch in a hut)?: The hour should be marked X (Not Surveying)
Should I record the weather or other variables?: No, weather data will be obtained from NIWA.
Can I still survey whilst in a tent?: Yes, up until the last survey hour on the form.
If I heard but did not see kea, do I note this under ‘Max Kea Seen’: No.
Can I listen to music or podcasts whilst surveying?: No, sorry!
Can I talk to my companions whilst surveying?: Yes!

You can download the form for surveys along with these instructions.