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FALL SHOREBIRD SURVEY -- Saturday, DEC 5th



NOTE: This year we will be observing COVID-19 safety protocols as advised by National Audubon and Point Blue. These are: 
  •  No sharing of vehicles with out-of-family/living groups (everyone in their own vehicle); 
  •  Counters must maintain 6’ physical distance from anyone not in their family/living group; 
  •  Everyone should have a mask with them for circumstances where 6’ distance cannot be maintained. 
The 2020 Annual Morro Bay Fall Shorebird Survey, sponsored by Morro Coast Audubon and Audubon California, is being held on Saturday, December 5th, 9am-11am (bad weather fallback date is Saturday, December 12th, 10am-noon). Please consider volunteering to help with this important annual effort that will help us keep track of the numbers of shorebirds using Morro Bay and will contribute to data on shorebird abundance throughout the Pacific Flyway. Shorebirds are an important bioindicator of the health of the bay and the Pacific Flyway. 

Under the coordination of Point Blue Conservation Science, shorebird surveys were conducted in Morro Bay between April 1988 and August 1994. Using the same protocol, Audubon and Morro Bay National Estuary Program have continued the effort with surveys since 2003. 

Observers will be counting birds from land with spotting scopes, from kayaks or canoes on the water, from the Sandspit and Morro Strand, and from Morro Rock to the Rocky Point (Northpoint). Collecting these data will provide a view of the variability of shorebird numbers seasonally and annually, with the overall goal of tracking long-term trends. Data are entered into the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey database. 

About 25 volunteers are needed, and first time volunteers or beginner birders are welcome to this event (we will pair you with an expert!). If you are interested in participating, please email Dave Tyra at dave@morrocoastaudubon.org.