Three Parks Savanna Fire-Effects Plot Network: Bird-count Surveys, Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, 2014-15

A total of 220 permanent monitoring plots were established between 1994-2002. The plots extend across three parks (Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk) in the Top End of the Northern Territory, representing the Three Parks Savannah Fire-effects Plot Network. A detailed flora and fauna survey has been conducted at each plot on a 5-6 year cycle to monitor biotic changes. Plots represent a variety of landforms and vegetation types. Nitmiluk National Park contains 46 plots, each with a paired plot located within 1 km of the primary plot. In 2015, 23 paired plots were surveyed for terrestrial vertebrate fauna using a range of survey methods. At each paired plot 12 x 10 minute bird surveys were conducted during daylight hours during a 4 day period. Bird surveys were carried out within a 100 x 100 metre quadrat, encompassing the standard 50 x 50 metre trapping grid and an additional 25 metre around all sides. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Three Park Savannah Fire-effects Plot Network’s program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/three-parks-savanna