1. Puget Sound Seabird Survey Science by Citizens
© 2008 Adam Sedgley
© 2006 Garrett Lau (pbase.com/garrettlau)
Puget Sound Seabird Survey Science by Citizens
Toby Ross Science Manager

2. Overview
The Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) leverages the expertise of birdwatchers to provide valuable - and unique - data on wintering waterfowl - loons, grebes, cormorants, gulls/terns and alcids in Puget Sound.
Addresses the need for long term seabird population trends in the Puget Sound region
Program of the Seattle Audubon Society
Managed by Toby Ross
Designed by Members of PSSS Advisory Group: Peter Hodum (UPS), Jerry Joyce, Scott Pearson (WDFW), and Eric Ward (NOAA)
Powered by Citizen Scientists

3. Nuts and Bolts

4. Nuts and Bolts
“Seabirds”

5. Nuts and Bolts 107 survey sites “Seabirds” at least 1 mile apart
public access

6. Nuts and Bolts Monthly Surveys “Seabirds” 107 survey sites
at least 1 mile apart
public access
Monthly Surveys
Survey = minutes during 4 hour “survey window”

7. Nuts and Bolts 135 Citizen Scientists “Seabirds” 107 survey sites
at least 1 mile apart
public access
Monthly Survey
Survey = minutes during 4 hour “survey window”
135 Citizen Scientists
Audubon members, birdwatchers, and/or seabird scientists
approx. 969 volunteer survey hours ( season)

8. Nuts and Bolts Distance Sampling “Seabirds” 107 survey sites
at least 1 mile apart, public access
Monthly Survey
Survey = minutes during 4 hour “survey window”
135 Citizen Scientists
Audubon members, birdwatchers, and/or seabird scientists
approx. 969 volunteer survey hours ( season)
Heinemann, D. (1991)
Distance Sampling
volunteers use ruler/compass
addresses detectability

9. Data Management
Survey summaries automatically prepared

10. Data Management
Immediately viewable to public via clickable maps

11. Data Analyses

12. Monthly Data Summaries
Seabird Abundance Leader Board – By species
October Survey
November Survey
December Survey
Cumulative Oct-Dec
Species
# of Birds
California Gull
452
Surf Scoter (2)
224
Bufflehead (2)
371
Surf Scoter
702
316
Horned Grebe (5)
Horned Grebe (1)
202
Horned Grebe
576
Heermann’s Gull
206
Bufflehead (n/a)
152
Mew Gull (3)
163
Bufflehead
523
Mew Gull (15)
148
TOTAL ALL SPECIES
2114
1522
1532
5168
Busiest Survey Site Leader Board
October Survey
November Survey
December Survey
Cumulative Oct-Dec
Location #
Shipwreck Point
124
Port Williams (6) 80
Sekiu (2) 49
201
Cape Flattery 66
Sekiu (4) 70
Port Williams (1) 44
Sekiu
179
John Wayne Marina 64
Fort Flagler West (4) 46
Joseph Whidbey SP (13) 37
Port Williams
174
John Wayne Marina (3)

13. Season-end Summary
No. of Individual Birds & Species Richness –

14. In-depth Data Analyses Probability of Decline
Seabird Species
Presence/Absence
Trend
Probability of Decline
Status
American Wigeon
0.077
0.068
Rare & Increasing
Brandt’s Cormorant
0.103
0.096
Rhinoceros Auklet
0.310
0.000
Common Murre
0.137
0.088
Greater Scaup
0.257
0.002
D.C. Cormorant
0.051
0.052
Common & Increasing
Common Loon
0.076
0.040
Red-breasted Merganser
0.063
0.044
Surf Scoter
0.053
Horned Grebe
0.107
0.001
White-winged Scoter
-0.074
0.902
Rare & Decreasing
Brant
-0.173
0.988
Great Blue Heron
-0.130
0.917
Red-necked Grebe
-0.071
0.982
Common & Decreasing
Western Grebe
-0.187
0.940
Marbled Murrelet
0.146
0.372
No significant trend, but leaning positive
75 species of seabird have been recorded
64/84 sites were included in the analysis (sites that have been visited >15 times)
All years’ data included in analysis (including season)

15. In-depth Data Analyses
Western Grebe
Common & Decreasing
Marbled Murrelet
Species of Concern

16. In-depth Data Analyses
Western Grebe
Mainly in the North
Marbled Murrelet
Only a few sites

17. Application & Outcomes

18. Application & Outcomes
In the event of an oil spill
Baseline data and more long-term trends of seabird populations
Trained early on-scene reconnaissance volunteers
Rapidly provide oil spill observations to Central Command
Conservation measures
Information provides power to conservation litigation
Serve as a watchdog for seabird populations in PS
Produces trained and engaged advocates for environmental protection
© Dennis Paulson

19.
Toby Ross Peter Hodum Jerry Joyce Scott Pearson Eric Ward
© Tom Sanders