Citizen Science
Despite centuries of accumulated research into the ecology, biology, and natural history of all the species with which we share this planet, there remains far more that we don’t know about these animals, even those that seem familiar and close at hand. At a time when we are changing the ecology of our planet at a rate previously unsurpassed, even those things that we think we know can no longer be taken for granted.
The observations of citizens can play an invaluable role in helping us track, understand, and manage our local wildlife populations. Audubon has long been a pioneer in getting citizens involved in wildlife research. These are a great way to have fun, learn about the natural world, and make a difference for wildlife. Oregon hosts 486 species of birds, the fifth most avian diversity rich state in the nation, 209 of which spend part or all of their lives in the Portland area!
You don’t need a PhD. All you need is a desire to learn, a love of birds and the patience to observe the natural world.
Great Blue Heron Inventory
The GBH is one of the Northwest’s most iconic species and is the official Portland city bird. Herons are colony nesters, and rookeries are highly vulnerable to habitat alterations, human disturbance, and natural changes to the environment. Heron Rookery Stewards observe and track changes at specific rookeries in the metropolitan region, including on Ross Island, Smith and Bybee Wetlands, Heron Lakes Golf Course, and Government Island. Monitoring Commitment is 3-4 site visits from March to June.
Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society. It’s an early-winter bird census in which volunteers follow routes through designated 15-mile diameter circles, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day. The data collected by observers over the past century allows researchers and conservation biologists to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. One all-day Saturday commitment in late December.
Swift Watch/Colony Inventory
Swift Watch has become a celebrated fall Portland event among locals and visitors alike. Chapman School is host to the largest known Swift roost in the world, but is not the only place in the region where swifts spend the night. Grab a clicker and get involved in helping us identify and monitor other swift-friendly chimneys in our area! We need reports of active chimneys and monitors to count around sunset 1x per week for the month of May and the month of September!
Kestrel Monitoring
In recent years, researchers have noticed unexplained declines in populations of North America’s smallest falcon, the American Kestrel. Last year, Portland Audubon launched a Sauvie Island Kestrel Nest Box Project. Volunteers are trained in road survey methodology and have the opportunity to monitor individual nest sites or to help install Kestrel Nest Boxes. Spring and Summer driving surveys require 3-4 visits, 3 hours each.
Peregrine Watch
Portland Audubon has been coordinating Peregrine monitoring in the Portland Metropolitan region since 1994. Of the known nests in Oregon, 5% occur in the Portland areas. Bridges provide nesting habitat that mimics Peregrine affinity for cliff dwelling, but that come with additional hazards. Human disturbance, narrow ledges, and erratic wind downdrafts can create potentially lethal threats to fledglings. Our teams of vigilant Peregrine Watchers monitor nest activity and educate the public at the OMSI lookout, all the while keeping an eye out for trouble. Spring monitors watch bridge sites for 4+hour uninterrupted survey blocks 3-4 times over the course of 8-10 weeks.
You Can Get Involved with:
• Peregrine Watch
• GBH Rookery Monitoring
• S.I. Kestrel Nest Box Surveys
• Swift Watch/Colony Inventory
• IBA Point Count Monitoring
• Downtown Bird Collision surveys
• Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
• eBird Reporting
Call Mary Coolidge at 503.292.6855 or email mcoolidge@audubonportland.org for more information or to get involved in a Citizen Science Project.
