Beached Bird Survey Training

Beached bird. Photo by Nancy Moore.

CoastWatch is the Oregon partner of the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), which conducts a long-running beached bird survey in all the West Coast states.  This is true citizen science; with training, volunteers learn to gather information that is of science quality and used by scientists in studies and by resource agencies in assessing environmental impacts.

As part of CoastWatch’s Sharing the Coast Conference (see listing for March 4), a training session for prospective volunteers in the survey is scheduled for Sunday, March 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Waldport outpost of Oregon Coast Community College (3120 Crestline Dr.). The trainer will be Hillary Burgess, COASST’s science coordinator.

There is no charge to attend a training, but plan to provide a $20 refundable deposit if you would like to take home a COASST volunteer kit complete with a COASST Beached Birds field guide (which we can attest is excellent). Training activities take place indoors.  Bring lunch.

If you plan to attend, it would help with planning the event if you could RSVP to coasst@uw.edu or (206) 221-6893.  CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator Fawn Custer can also provide more information about the survey:  (541) 270-0027, fawn@oregonshores.org.