Marine bird science in Puget Sound

Birds serve as useful indicators of ecosystem change and ecosystem health, biodiversity, condition of habitats, and climate change. Many people and organizations have their eyes on marine birds in Puget Sound.

Peter Hodum, conservation biologist from the University of Puget Sound counts rhinoceros auklets and tufted puffins around Protection Island, WA (in the background). Photo: Scott Pearson, WDFW
Peter Hodum, conservation biologist from the University of Puget Sound counts rhinoceros auklets and tufted puffins around Protection Island, WA (in the background). Photo: Scott Pearson, WDFW

Who monitors marine birds in Puget Sound?

binocular icon = citizen science program
 

binocular icon Puget Sound Seabird Survey

The Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) is a citizen-science survey managed by Seattle Audubon that empowers volunteer birdwatchers to gather valuable data on wintering seabird populations in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Seabird research program at the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's seabird research is focused on assessing the status and trends of both common and rare species of seabirds, identifying potential mechanisms for decline, and assessing the health of Puget Sound.

Washington State waterfowl management program

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been collecting and analyzing waterfowl management information from banding and marking programs.

binocular icon Whidbey Island Guillemot Research Group

Whidbey Audubon citizen science project dedicated to the research, education and protection of the Pigeon Guillemot. Based on Whidbey Island in north Puget Sound.

binocular icon Nisqually Reach Nature Center

Volunteers are actively participating in two citizen science surveys under the auspices of the Citizen Stewardship Committee of the Nisqually Reach Aquatic Reserve. The surveys are collecting data on Forage Fish, Pigeon Guillemot Breeding, and Visitor Use at Luhr Beach.

binocular icon COASST – Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team

A 17-year-old rigorous citizen science project housed at the University of Washington. COASST trains coastal residents in their communities.

Washington Audubon

Audubon Washington inspires diverse audiences to conserve natural ecosystems and build healthy communities for people, birds and other wildlife.

NOAA

The Marine Mammal and Seabird Ecology Team conducts critical research on Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs), other marine mammals, and seabirds in the Pacific Northwest.

 

What organizations protect birds and help them?

Pacific Birds Habitat

Advancing avian habitat conservation since our origins as the Pacific Coast Joint Venture in 1991. Pacific Birds is a partnership driven organization that thrives on engagement and collaboration.

Washington Audubon

Audubon Washington inspires diverse audiences to conserve natural ecosystems and build healthy communities for people, birds and other wildlife.

About the Author: 
The Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program is a collaboration of state, federal, tribal and local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, watershed groups, business, academic researchers, local integrating organizations, and other private and volunteer groups and organizations - all dedicated to monitoring environmental conditions in Puget Sound. The objective of PSEMP is to create and support a collaborative, inclusive, and transparent approach to regional monitoring and assessment that builds upon and facilitates communication among the many monitoring programs and efforts operating in Puget Sound. PSEMP’s fundamental goal is to assess progress toward the recovery of the health of Puget Sound.