Thank you for volunteering for this year’s Matuku-hūrepo muster!

Here is everything you need to get ready for your active listening monitoring sessions.

Active Listening Sessions

Your Active Listening monitoring session starts at sunset and ends 60 minutes after sunset. Allow time for the drive and the walk to your site.

During that hour, sit quietly and tune in to the sounds around you. The goal is to record any bittern booming you hear - the time (to the second if possible), location, and approximate distance from you (guessing is ok).

There are 3 forms to know about. We’ll discuss them in more detail below.

  1. Matuku Muster Summary (app-based)

  2. Paper-based Field Sheet

  3. Matuku Muster - Record a bittern (app-based)

For every session:

For every session of Active Listening during the muster, you will:

Submit a “Matuku Muster Summary” form. This tells us about location, weather, environment, and whether anyone is with you. Do this in the app!

Note: If you are allergic to technology, this is also the first part of the paper-based field sheet - fill that instead and email a photo of it to Jasmine.

If you hear any booming…

During your session, keep track of any booming on the paper-based field sheet. Collect one from Jasmine or print at home before your session.

And, do one of the following:

  • Submit a “Matuku Muster - Record a bittern booming” form in the Conservation app for each booming sequence heard

OR

  • Give Jasmine a copy of your paper-based field sheet (more work for Jasmine = less ideal).

About bitterns and booms

What does booming sound like?

Not to be confused with the cows you may hear! Listen to the whole clip.

Visit the Love Bittern website for heaps more info!

Read the Bittern Monitoring Workbook

Planning ahead

If you’re on WhatsApp, we’ll add you to a group chat where we can share any booms!

This is optional, of course.

Ensure you have the right gear

Gear List

  • Phone - fully charged, with Conservation Hub app downloaded (see below)

  • Printed paper-based form - collect from Jasmine or print one here.

  • Pen

  • Torch/head torch

  • Lots of warm layers

  • Rain jacket/wind breaker

  • Footwear appropriate for your location

Optional:

  • Warm drink

  • Camp chair or blanket to sit on

  • Binoculars

The Conservation Hub app - get it ready!

1. Download the mobile app

To begin, download the mobile app by clicking one of the buttons below or searching for "The Conservation Hub" on "Google Play" or the "App Store".

Apple Store (iPhone)
Google Play (android)

2. Create an account (if you’re a new user)

To use the mobile app, you first need to create an account. You can do that by following these steps:

If you have already created an account on the website/web app, you can log in with the same details on the mobile app.

  1. Open the mobile app and press My Hub at the bottom of the screen.

  2. Enter your details on this page

  3. Press Sign up

  4. You will see a message on your screen saying a verification code has been sent to your email address. Open your email inbox and look for an email with a subject like The Conservation Hub Pin Code. It could be in your spam folder.

  5. Type that 4-digit verification code into the Pin Code field on the mobile app.

  6. Press Sign up.

  7. You should now be logged in.

3. Join our project

  1. On the mobile app, click on the Explore tab at the bottom of the app.

  2. Tap the search bar at the top of the page, and search for “Raglan Whaingaroa Matuku Muster”

  3. Tap to open it.

  4. Press Join at the bottom of the page (if you do not see the Join button, you may already be part of the group, if so please try contacting a project administrator for access.)

  5. Review your information, then press Confirm submission.

A group administrator will review your request. You will receive an email confirming your access.

Before heading out

  1. Open the mobile app and log into The Conservation Hub. If you expect to have no signal in the field, open the “Matuku Muster Summary” form before you leave (image below).

  2. Grab your gear

  3. Check in with Jasmine - 021 732 378

  4. Enjoy your session!

When you’re done

  • Let Jasmine know you’re out - 021 732 378

  • Submit your Matuku Muster Summary form.

  • If you were lucky enough to hear any booming, also submit a “Matuku Muster - Record a bittern booming” form for every sequence heard.