As some of you may know, at this time a large number of dead Common Murres
are washing ashore on the outer ocean beaches on the Washington and Oregon
Coasts. Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), which is
based at the UW, monitors these beached birds and compiles a data base for
scientific study. Sharon Ellard and myself Tom Merritt, are COASST
volunteers and are attending the WOS conference at Ocean Shores this
weekend. We have been asked to survey two beaches at Ocean Shores. Since
there may be a large number of beached birds on these beaches and the time
required to identify, photograph, tag, and record data on these birds can be
considerable, we would appreciate any help from birders who may be attending
the WOS Conference and might be interested in helping out on a very
worthwhile and satisfying activity and helping out with some very important
research that has achieved national recognition. Basically we will walk the
beach, in a zig-zag pattern and look for beached birds. If one is spotted
we take measurements, id the bird, photograph it and record data. Sharon
and myself will be doing the actual measurement, identification and handling
of the birds, but anyone who might wish to help with walking the beach, note
taking, photographing, and other chores would be more than welcome. We are
planning on surveying one beach, South Ocean, tomorrow, Thursday, and the
other beach, South Chance, on Sunday. These beaches are both in Ocean
Shores proper. We will be leaving Seattle early tomorrow morning so we can
catch the low tide at 10:43 am. Please contact us off line using the
contact data below. We can give you a ride down and back, if you wish.
PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS POSTING AS WE WILL ONLY RECEIVE THE DIGEST AND
WILL NOT SEE THE REPLY IN A TIMELY MANOR.



Tom Merritt & Sharon Ellard

Email: tom at mateds.net; Sharon at mateds.net

Phone: (206) 323-5515

Sharon's Cell: (206) 963-4781

Tom's Cell: (206) 963-1620