Discovering CallTrackers - online

To help protect threatened, and potentially threatened, species most effectively, we need to know where they are, and how they’re doing. Yet few of us are lucky enough to see elusive species such as the Australasian bittern and the far eastern curlew - let alone Tasmania’s bats. It can be much easier to detect their calls... 

Photos: left - Gould’s wattled bat (Bruce Dymock); middle - Far eastern curlew (Jenny Ostenfeld); right - Australasian bittern (Helen Cunningham)

Curious about the wildlife in action around your neighbourhood at night?

Join us to start exploring the hidden world of nocturnal wildlife sounds! Can we map and monitor the changing presence of these species?

From the ultrasonic chirps of 9 elusive bat species to the booms of the rare and mysterious Australasian bittern, many captivating creatures make sounds around us at night, yet go unnoticed. We're inviting you to embark on a journey of exploration through the CallTrackers project: your gateway to the wonderland of nocturnal wildlife calls 🌿🎵

Every September to March, Tasmanians get the chance to borrow state-of-the-art recorders, from libraries across the state. These fantastic gadgets enable us to unravel the secrets of different animals' calls, and to help track changes in their numbers and habitats over time. As a signed-up CallTracker, you can receive species identification suggestions the moment you upload your recordings to the cutting-edge Acoustic Pipeline website. It's like having your own hidden-wildlife guide 🎙️🌳

Whether you're a professional scientist or simply someone with a bit of curiosity, join us to learn all about it in a highly supportive environment – where you can gently navigate the brilliant technology behind the world of acoustic wildlife monitoring, and share ideas and experiences. 

What to expect

We'll send you some background information to explore at your leisure, and a zoom link. During the online workshop, you’ll be able to:

🪶 Learn what we know so far about the ecology and conservation needs of Tasmania’s bats, and two very special threatened birds

🎙️ With the expert advice of CallTrackers coordinator Dr Jim Lovell, and other experienced users, find out about the art of deploying a recorder – capture the diverse sounds of our nocturnal world!

🔍 Discover how to interpret your recordings, to help figure out whether these species are currently using the region, and to detect any changes over the coming years' restoration efforts

Don't miss this special chance to get connected with a different side of nature! We can't wait for you to join us in this fascinating world of acoustic wildlife monitoring 🌿🎙️