Seabird Monitoring Training Online

Double-crested Cormorant at Stonefield Beach.\Photo by Molly Sultany.

Despite the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus, preparations are still being made for seabird nesting colony monitoring.  On Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m., Portland Audubon, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other partners will be hosting an online training session for this citizen science project.  This training focuses on the central coast and the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve; a separate event for the north coast will be held June 6 (see separate listing).

The virtual training will introduce the three cormorant species that nest here and explain how citizens can join efforts to study them. The first hour will be devoted to seabird natural history and some fascinating facts (like which seabirds fly all the way from Australia to our shores). In the second hour, learn how to participate in seabird nesting colony monitoring at Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve. Join for just the first hour, or the whole training.

No experience or knowledge necessary. Those interested will then get involved throughout the summer in counting nests, eggs and babies on cliffs and rocks in the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve.

Note that until further notice, local volunteers are being sought; would-be volunteers are asked not to travel from inland to participate.  But the first portion of the online training will be of interest to anyone wishing to learn about these birds.

To register for this training, please contact ASOPcoastalbirds@gmail.com.

For more information on the project, visit https://audubonportland.org/get-involved/community-science/seabird-colony-monitoring/