Morro Bay Shorebird Census Survey, Saturday, April 26, 2003, 8 AM - Noon

The Morro Bay Volunteer Monitoring Program (MBVMP) is looking for volunteers with shorebird identification experience, to help with a census on Saturday, April 26, 2003, from 8 AM - Noon. We will be identifying and counting out each species.

Under the coordination of Point Reyes Observatory, shorebird surveys were conducted in Morro Bay, CA between April 1988 and August 1994.  Using the same protocol provided by Marlin Harms, the MBVMP is organizing Spring and Fall Surveys to continue collecting data looking at the variability of shorebird numbers within and between years, with the goal of tracking long-term trends.  Shorebirds are obviously an important bioindicator of the health of the bay and the Pacific Flyway.  Observers will also be counting herons, egrets, pelicans and raptors.

We will have observers viewing from land with spotting scopes, from kayaks or canoes on the water and walking the Sandspit and Morro Strand from Morro Rock to the Rocky Point (Northpoint) just north of Yerba Buena Street.  If you are interested in participating please e-mail or call me and also let me know if you have a spotting scope or boat.  We will have a few boats available to borrow.  Please respond by April 11, 2003.  I will send out a training packet so that you won’t be required to attend a training orientation, as I know everyone is so busy.  Thanks!

Kara Hagedorn
Morro Bay Volunteer Monitoring Program (more)
Morro Bay National Estuary Program
601 Embarcadero, Suite 11
Morro Bay, CA 93442
kara@[remove]mbnep.org
805-772-3834