Hi all,



My name is Julia Trautmann and I'm an avian science technician with
the Ecostudies
Institute <https://ecoinst.org/> in Olympia, WA. I am reaching out to
spread the word about the annual Puget Sound Shorebird Count
<https://ecoinst.org/conservation-programs/avian-conservation/puget-sound-shorebird-count/>--a
citizen science/volunteer event that we have been coordinating since 2012. This
event is part of the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey
<https://data.pointblue.org/apps/pfss/>, a long-term monitoring program for
wintering shorebirds led by Point Blue Conservation Science.



This event involves volunteers conducting shorebird counts at about 23
sites across the Puget Sound. In* 2021*, 25 volunteers surveyed 22 sites
and counted a total of *24,875 shorebirds* and* 118 raptors*. The data
gathered each year from this count helps provide a better understanding of
shorebird populations in the Puget Sound region and the habitats they
utilize, while allowing for the creation of more effective conservation
management plans.


After careful review of tide predictions and other factors, we have chosen
the *weekend of December 3rd *to conduct the surveys across all sites,
including Samish, Padilla, Fidalgo, Port Susan, and Skagit Bays and Whidbey
Island.



If you are interested and available to help with the survey, please fill
out this Google Form
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpazv7rsYk_qtHABa2JzpzrrIsxaIgeP0jHDv6lmvAbxuvqQ/viewform?usp=sf_link>
indicating
your interest and availability. We also recommend you review the protocols
and other resources
<https://ecoinst.org/conservation-programs/avian-conservation/puget-sound-shorebird-count/volunteer-resources-for-the-puget-sound-shorebird-count/>
on
our website and information about the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey
<https://data.pointblue.org/apps/pfss/>. On the volunteer resources page,
you will also find a recording of last year's virtual training event, which
would be highly beneficial to review.


If you are new to this event or have any questions regarding this year's
count, training, and/or protocols, please feel free to reach out to me at
this email address (jtrautmann at ecoinst.org).



Thank you for your interest!



Sincerely,

Julia Trautmann





*Helpful links and additional information:*



Puget Sound Shorebird Count General Info

https://ecoinst.org/conservation-programs/avian-conservation/puget-sound-shorebird-count/


Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey Info

https://data.pointblue.org/apps/pfss/

http://climate.calcommons.org/article/pacific-flyway-shorebird-survey



Volunteer Resources

https://ecoinst.org/conservation-programs/avian-conservation/puget-sound-shorebird-count/volunteer-resources-for-the-puget-sound-shorebird-count/



Shorebird Identification Guide

http://migratoryshorebirdproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PFSS_shorebird-ID-slides.pdf


--
*Julia Trautmann (she/her)*
Americorps Avian Science Technician
Ecostudies Institute
Olympia, WA