The Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) is a community science survey developed in 2008 and coordinated by the Puget Sound Bird Observatory. This survey effort trains volunteer birdwatchers to gather valuable data on wintering seabird populations across Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and waters surrounding the San Juan Islands.

Together, our teams capture a snapshot of seabird density on more than 1,600 acres of sheltered bays, open water, and shoreline habitat. It is the only land-based, multi-month seabird survey in the southern Salish Sea, and is providing valuable data for researchers, including essential population dynamic data, baseline densities, and population estimates across our coastal waters.

Beginning birders willing to commit to learning seabird identification, as well as intermediate and expert birders who are confident with their ID skills can all contribute to meaningful avian science. If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please contact the program coordinator.

Why are we doing this?

Aside from their endearing charisma, seabirds are excellent indicators of marine ecosystem health. They provide an early warning signal that tells us how the rest of the food web is functioning. A decline in seabird populations that depend on the Salish Sea - the waterway that includes the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound - may indicate a decline in the health of other parts of this important marine ecosystem that 7 million people depend on.

Species of specific interest include Marbled Murrelet, Rhinoceros Auklet, and Pigeon Guillemot, which all breed in the Salish Sea; as well as three scoter species - Black, Surf, and White-winged - which breed in northern Canada and Alaska. These 6 species are of particular concern to the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife which uses them as indicators of water quality, known as Vital Signs. The Puget Sound Seabird Survey gathers data on these and other seabird species, informing management decisions by state agencies and other organizations.

Why volunteer now?

With the indiscriminate dismantling of federal wildlife monitoring programs across the country, and the defunding of state-managed efforts, projects like the PSSS are more important than ever. Your involvement will help fill some of the data gaps created by this administration, enabling us to monitor seabird populations that serve as indicators of marine health.

What to Expect as a Volunteer

• Time Commitment: You’ll join a small team to conduct seven monthly surveys, synchronized to take place on the first Saturday of each month, October through April.
• Site Assignments: You’ll be assigned 1-3 locations based on your preferences and your team will survey these same sites throughout the season.
• Training Provided: Training on the survey protocol will be provided in September. While seabird identification skills are helpful, there are roles on the survey team for birders at all levels.