Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS)
Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) is a citizen-science survey organized by Seattle Audubon that empowers volunteer birdwatchers to gather valuable data on wintering seabird populations in Puget Sound. Together, our team creates a snapshot of seabird density on more than three square miles of nearshore saltwater habitat. It is the only land-based, multi-month survey in central or south Puget Sound. See a full report of the 2008-2009 survey.
What is Puget Sound Seabird Survey?
- Citizen science - birdwatchers gathering scientifically-valuable data
- 50 survey sites in King, Pierce, Thurston, Snohomish and Island counties. PTMSC is responsible for monitoring a site at Point Wilson, at Fort Worden State Park.
- Monthly winter surveys, October through April
- 15-30 mins per survey
- Counting ducks, geese, loons, grebes, cormorants, gulls and alcids
How it works: Experienced birders trained in the Seabird Survey protocol identify and count birds at the same site each month, at the same time as volunteers all over Puget Sound are doing the same in their area.
How many volunteers are involved? At PTMSC, about 4; in Puget Sound, more than 100?
Where can you see data? For the full report of last year's data, go to Data Summary
Openings for new volunteers: Possibly, if new monitoring sites are added.