Puget Sound Bird Survey
Please go to http://www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/WhatWeDo/Science/CitizenScience/PugetSoundSeabirdSurvey/Results.aspx to see results for the winter months of 2010/2011.
Sept 26, 2009 Puget Sound Seabird Survey Training
Stan, Winnie, Tony, Julie, and Camilla met for a seabird survey training with Nathalie and Peter Hodum. The Seattle Audubon Society is hosting the first rigorous long-term seabird population survey for the Puget Sound.
We know that some local seabird populations such as Western Grebes and Bonaparte's Gulls have declined precipitously in recent years. Others, such as the Rhinoceros Auklet, are either declining or not, depending on the study. Still others haven't been studied.
We know that some local seabird populations such as Western Grebes and Bonaparte's Gulls have declined precipitously in recent years. Others, such as the Rhinoceros Auklet, are either declining or not, depending on the study. Still others haven't been studied.
Survey Protocol
Contact any of the participants if you want to participate. Proposed observation sites are: Thea's Point (Winnie and Stan), TNC Trailhead and Cowlitz Dock (Tony, Camilla, and Julie). For the math to work, everyone's eye height and arm reach needs to be on record, and everyone should stand at the same GPS point every time.
Bring: Binoculars or spotting scope, metric ruler, magnetic compass, writing implements, bird book.
On the first Saturday of each month from October to April, identify all birds within 300 m of shore. Record bearing and distance down from horizon. Record whether any male Buffleheads are oiled (other species may be added later), whether raptors are present, and if so, if shorebirds seem to be reacting to them. Their website has recording forms and some helpful instructions.
Once all data are submitted in April, the results will be posted on the Seattle Audubon Society's website. Julie would also like a look at your data sheets for the Community Observation archives.
Bring: Binoculars or spotting scope, metric ruler, magnetic compass, writing implements, bird book.
On the first Saturday of each month from October to April, identify all birds within 300 m of shore. Record bearing and distance down from horizon. Record whether any male Buffleheads are oiled (other species may be added later), whether raptors are present, and if so, if shorebirds seem to be reacting to them. Their website has recording forms and some helpful instructions.
Once all data are submitted in April, the results will be posted on the Seattle Audubon Society's website. Julie would also like a look at your data sheets for the Community Observation archives.