- Using Data Sheet and Data Entry
Should I tally only the cranes I see or the ones I hear too?
Often, cranes are more easily heard than seen, so try to tally both cranes seen and heard. It is a good idea to bring along a notebook to help you keep track of everything you see and hear during the survey. Write down the direction from which you hear the crane(s), so that you do not record the same crane(s) multiple times if they are heard again later. If many cranes are calling together, it is difficult to estimate the exact number, but record your best estimate. Note that the data sheet includes an option to record “C Probable Courtship, Display or Copulation” – check this behavior if you hear any unison calls.
Does the International Crane Foundation still want our data sheets? If not, do coordinators need to keep them?
No, the International Crane Foundation does not need your data sheets, because we will be able to access the data through the form on our website – thanks to all of your volunteer effort! Coordinators are welcome to keep the data sheets, but it is not necessary once your data is entered.
If I create a new crane count site, does the International Crane Foundation need to be informed?
If a counter wishes to create a new site, they may do so in agreement with their county coordinator. Please contact our data manager for assistance with adding any new sites to our Crane Count Site Finder.
If we do not see cranes during the count, do we still enter 0 on our data sheet and enter these data into the online form?
Yes, you may still enter zero on your data sheet if you do not see or hear any cranes. We also ask that you still enter these data into the form on our website, as this allows us to more accurately track the number of sites surveyed in each county.