Armchair Twitch™ Rules

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Aims:
1. To raise the awareness & interest in the wealth & diversity of birds & their habitats in Australia.
2. To promote the benefits of birdwatching as a healthy, relaxing pastime for all members of the community including those with limited mobility.
3. To raise money for the BASQ Research Fund – to be used for the conservation of wild birds.

Date: last Sunday in September
         Results to be submitted as soon as practicable, but within one month.
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Rules:
Nominations:

  1. Nominations for the Armchair Twitch™ will be accepted from anywhere within Australia.
  2. Each team must select a 5(five) metre diameter circle as their designated observing area. This circle must be registered before, & remain constant throughout, the Armchair Twitch™.
  3. There is no restriction on the number of participants in a team.
  4. There is a nomination fee per person, although children attending primary & secondary school are free.

Observations:

  1. The registered site can be left and returned to as frequently as desired. During observations of birds at least two people must be present in the registered site.
  2. Birds can only be counted if first seen or heard by a minimum of 2 people within the circle. If a bird is seen or heard from within the circle but is too distant to identify, participants may leave the circle to get a closer look or listen to confirm the bird's identity.
  3. Only birds that are alive & from free-living populations of full species may be counted.
  4. Observations can only be made between midnight to the following midnight on the date of the Armchair Twitch™.

Fundraising:

  1. Any donations &/or sponsorships raised by individual teams will be used for the conservation of wild birds.

Ethics:

  1. Observers are required to follow the usual birdwatching ethics. These include:
    - Observers cannot use artificial means to attract birds; these include electronic devices, mechanical devices and/or artificial food sources.
    - Observers must not unnecessarily disturb birds.
    - Observers can not observe on private property unless they gain prior permission of the property’s owner/s.

Results:

  1. Results must be submitted within one month of the date of the Twitch. No late entries will be eligible for prizes.

Adjudicators’ decisions:

  1. The adjudicators’ decisions are final.

Frequently Asked Questions       Registration and Results (pdf file or Word doc)

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