Training for Pigeon Guillemot Monitoring Begins in May!
By Ellen Nelson, Whidbey Audubon Society Liaison to Salish Sea Guillemot Network
While the Pigeon Guillemots have been getting ready for the breeding season since January, we are now catching up with them. One of our volunteers Lac Pop, reported on January 26:
“I went by Keystone yesterday and was surprised to see a large number of PGs. I counted 24 individuals on and around the old pier. Most appeared to be somewhere in their transition to breeding plumage. Lots of distinct white wing patches. Very social and very vocal. Nice to see them in January.”
The PGs are changing daily as we get ready to start monitoring in June.
There is still time to sign up as a volunteer. We are still seeking new and seasoned volunteers for this year’s survey. There are openings for regular beach monitors and substitute monitors, primarily for sites from mid-Island-Greenbank and North to Oak Harbor and we could definitely use volunteers with Navy Base access for the colonies on the base.
To register now contact Debbi Williams, rob.deb3197@gmail.com. Send Debbi your name, email address, phone, number, mailing address and information about any mobility issues/restrictions.
The training for new volunteers begins in mid-May and involves online training, online (Zoom) sessions and in-person beach sessions. It will enable a new volunteer to step on the beach with binoculars and be ready to start monitoring.
Wednesday, May 14, 7:00-8:30 p.m.: Summer Breeding Survey Volunteer Training (open to all volunteers). WAS members can also attend to learn more about the project. Log into the training on Zoom on the 14th.
Wednesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 28, both from 7-8:30 p.m.: Data entry training
Friday, May 28, 8 a.m.: In-person volunteer training on the beach at Shore Meadow in Freeland.
PG volunteers will also be hosting a table with activities, swag and information about PGs and the survey at the Wings over Whidbey Bird Festival on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.