Hope this is an acceptable post-an opportunity for birding in a great part
of the state.



Don McIvor

Science Coordinator

Audubon Washington

129 Old Twisp Hwy

Twisp WA 98856

509-997-9456

509-540-1806 cell



Birders Needed to Help Methow Valley Beaver Project



Audubon Washington is seeking volunteer birders to assist with early morning
bird surveys in June at 12 beaver restoration sites in the beautiful Methow
Valley. This is a great opportunity to participate in a citizen-science
project in the beautiful Methow Valley!



Audubon Washington's contribution to this project will be to document
changes in the bird communities at these sites as habitat at the sites
changes in response to beaver activity. Each site will need two visits about
two weeks apart from a team of two volunteers (at least one competent birder
and one recorder; we can match people up, if need be). Surveys will include
an "area search," recording all of the birds seen and heard along the
project stretch of the river. Surveys will be conducted between early June
and early July, and will require about a half-day on site for each visit.
Our first opportunities to get volunteers on site is probably June 5 and 6,
but if you're available sooner, let me know!



The Methow Valley Beaver Project is an effort to restore riparian habitats
by relocating beaver into historically occupied tributaries of the Methow
River. The numerous project partners include the Methow Conservancy, US
Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, WDFW, Pacific Biodiversity
Institute, and the Yakima Nation. The first year of the project is behind
the project team, and methods to safely capture, hold, and relocate nuisance
beaver have been perfected. As snow receded from shaded creek banks earlier
this month, three sites where the beaver were introduced last year show
signs of the return of these stream engineers after more than a century of
absence. Efforts are underway to relocate more beaver this year into more
unoccupied sites.



Last year's pioneer beaver are busily setting about re-organizing their new
surroundings. They're building dams, creating and expanding pools, flooding
conifers, and cutting hard woods to fill their need for bark. All of this
activity is likely to change the local bird community, increasing local
diversity and favoring more riparian-dependent species.



If you're interested in joining our effort, of if you'd like to learn more,
contact Don McIvor, Audubon Washington's Science Coordinator, at
509-997-9456 or dmcivor at audubon.org.