Beached Bird Survey Training

CoastWatcher Marc Bates conducting a beached bird survey.\Photo by Melissa Keyser.

The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) will hold a training for prospective volunteers in the long-running beached bird survey they conduct on Saturday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Clatsop Community College (1651 Lexington Ave. in Astoria).  The event takes place in Towler Hall, Room 306. The trainer will be Hillary Burgess, COASST's science coordinator.

The COASST survey, in which CoastWatch is the Oregon partner, is a citizen science project that gathers science-quality data on beached birds throughout the West Coast.  The information is used by scientists tracking bird populations and the health of the nearshore ocean, and will provide critical background information should there be an oil spill or other disaster affecting birds.  Volunteers conduct monthly surveys, individually or in teams.  (Prospective volunteers are urged to bring potential survey partners with them.) 

There is no charge, 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.