San Francisco -- Bird enthusiasts in California, Oregon, Washington, and Baja Mexico, are invited to survey California Brown Pelicans on May 7, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 PM to better understand the status of this popular yet troubled seabird. The survey protocol was designed by experts to capture a comprehensive snapshot of pelican abundance and age distribution. This information is needed to understand how potential threats from changes in weather patterns, to changes in prey availability, changes in habitat or contaminants, could impact California Brown Pelican populations over the long term.
The survey is a joint project of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird program, state agencies, and the Audubon network. All participants will report their observations and photos through a special location in eBird, an online database of bird observations providing scientists, researchers and amateur naturalists with real-time data about bird distribution and abundance.
“We're working with local people to collect the data we need to assess what's happening with brown pelican populations on the West coast,” said Ren Lohoefener, regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Sacramento. “With support from Audubon chapters and other partners, citizen science surveys like this one can contribute to solving real-world conservation problems.”
The survey is focused primarily on coastal roosts where pelicans settle for the night and are most easily counted and photographed. Interested individuals should visit the survey’s website, ca.audubon.org/brownpelicansurvey, to find a roost site convenient to them and contact the regional coordinator. The public may also visit any area along the coast during this time frame to survey Brown Pelicans.
“Our hope is these volunteers can answer some important questions will help us help the bird,” said Brigid McCormack, executive director of Audubon California, National Audubon Society’s lead office on the survey. “This is a real chance to channel public enthusiasm for this beautiful bird, into an understanding of how pelicans are responding at a population level to changes in their ocean world.”
The California Brown Pelican subspecies (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) was removed from the Endangered Species list in 2009. The most recent population estimate is 70,680 breeding pairs. The majority of the subspecies breeds in the Gulf of California, Mexico; 15-20% of the population breeds at the U.S. Channel Islands. In recent years, scientists have observed poor productivity of Brown Pelicans at the Channel Islands and across the species’ range. Changes in the population of key forage species including anchovy and sardines raise questions and concerns about the health of the breeding pelican population.
“This pelican survey really illustrates one of the key strengths of eBird,” said Brian Sullivan, co-leader of the program for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “eBird allows us to take a snapshot of a single species at a specific point in time across a wide geographical area. The only way to achieve that is to tap into the eyes and ears of bird watchers who are dedicated to gathering data that can then be used to preserve and protect the birds we all care about.”
To get more information on how to participate in the Brown Pelican Survey, including roost sites near you, please visit ca.audubon.org/brownpelicansurvey.
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About Audubon California
Audubon California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 150,000 members and supporters in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of the National Audubon Society.
More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.
About U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
About Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a membership institution dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Visit the Cornell Lab’s website at http://www.birds.cornell.edu.
