Terry Oatley¹ & Arie van Noordwijk²

Oatley, T. & van Noordwijk, A.J. 1999. Potential and problems of large scale involvement of amateurs. In: Adams, N.J. & Slotow, R.H. (eds) Proc. 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban: 230. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.

There are large number of amateurs, who often know their birds better than professional biologists. The two main areas in which there are substantial differences are project design and data-analysis. Many amateurs enjoy the interactions with professionals and are willing to provide very many hours of first-class fieldwork. In the past, there was often a serious bottleneck in data-entry in the computer, but with the spread of micro-computers most amateurs can enter data in the computer and send them in on electronic media. Most amateurs are rather reluctant to participate in any sort of experimental manipulation, and moreover legal requirements in most countries would create large problems in doing so. Thus, projects that require large amounts of relatively simple data are ideal for the involvement of amateurs. In return for their involvement, the amateurs expect feedback and help with their problems. One key issue in the Swallow project has been the provision of a computer programme that enables the ringers to produce annual reports of their own study areas, which in turn is an important item in the relation with the farmers on whose farms they work.

Note: Full paper not submitted