The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for volunteers to help with a survey of Short-eared Owls during the breeding season. There are a total of 50 grids throughout CA, and surveys are road-based counts. Check this map to see if you live near one of the grids. If you are interested in volunteering, please see the project website for protocol, data sheets, training documents and videos, and annual reports from previous efforts.  There is a link on the website to sign-up for grids online. Please also email Carie Battistone, the Statewide Raptor Coordinator at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, at carie.battistone@wildlife.ca.gov to let her know you are interested in the survey. Volunteers do not need to have expert identification skills, only a keen interest in the project. A good pair of binoculars helps too. 

The survey is part of a State Wildlife Grant, and in partnership with multiple entities across the west (Owl Research Institute, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Klamath Bird Observatory, HawkWatch International, Washington Department of Fish and Game, University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute).

Please consider helping out with this important survey!