Snowy Plover Training

Western Snowy Plover on Clatsop Spit.\Photo by Molly Sultany.

If you would have an interest in helping to monitor Oregon’s population of the Western Snowy Plover, which nests on the state’s beaches, or if you would simply like to learn more about this endangered bird, you are invited to a snowy plover training session on Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the meeting hall at Nehalem Bay State Park (3600 Gary St., between Nehalem and Manzanita).  The event is free and open to all.

State Parks is partnering with Portland Audubon to monitor for plovers at five sites on the north coast (from the Clatsop Spit just south of the Columbia to Sitka Sedge State Natural Area at Tierra del Mar).  Surveys will take place twice a month, April through mid-July, last 2-4 hours, and can be physically demanding.

The first part of the training explores the background on the Western Snowy Plover including life history, species identification, and the conservation challenges this species is facing in Oregon. There will also be information on what agencies and other groups are doing to protect and  recover this species, as well as what the public can do to help.  

The second half of the training is geared toward volunteers who want to participate in surveys. The details of the survey protocol for conducting detection and nest monitoring surveys for this species will be discussed.  The training will include a site visit to a nearby location to view the Western Snowy Plover in the wild.

If planning to attend, RSVP to Amelia O’Connor at ASOPCoastalBirds@gmail.com.

For more information contact Joe Liebezeit (jliebezeit@audubonportland.org) or Amelia O’Connor.