As we mentioned in an earlier post, this past weekend, volunteers combed the edges of San Francisco Bay for this year’s shorebird survey. Over the course of three gorgeous days, 142 people in 68 teams surveyed 240 sites. Approximately 1.4 million acres were covered by foot, bicycle, car, and airplane. We also were able to provide training for 24 participants through 5 trainings that were offered in advance of the survey. And then we came together to celebrate and share stories, photos, and refreshments at a party at the close of the survey. More information and photos after the jump.
The survey was a joint partnership of Audubon California PRBO Conservation Science, San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
We’re still compiling data from the survey. When we have the final tallies recorded, we’ll put it on the Audubon California website, and email notices to all those who participated.
Anecdotes from each survey site are exciting, however. For instance, the survey of Frank’s Dump on the Hayward Shoreline reportedmore than 14,000 shorebirds roosting and feeding in the pond. This included 4,300 Marbled Godwit, 4,050 Western Sandpiper, 3,262 Dunlin, 1,463 Willet, 512 American Avocet, 245 Black-bellied Plover, 155 Long-billed Curlew, 144 Black-necked Stilt, 210 Least Sandpiper, 400 Dowitchers (20+ confirmed Short-billed Dowitchers based on voice) and small numbers of other shorebirds, including Black and Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, and Red Knot.
More photos:
Photos by Alison Sheehey and Mike Perlmutter
