Interested in being part of a citizen science program? Consider joining our Waterbird Monitoring Project.
The goal of this project is to collect baseline data of bird activity along the coastal regions of the Avalon Peninsula to inform oil spill preparedness and industrial development proposals. Coastal birds face many threats, including the potential impacts of oil spills. Understanding where birds are, when they are present, and how many are using high-risk coastal areas is an important part of preparing for and responding to these events.
Through our Waterbird Environmental Citizen Science Program, Nature NL works with volunteer birders to monitor waterbird populations in several high-risk ports and coastal areas in the province. The sites we survey experience significant vessel traffic or are located near industrial activities, while others, such as Quidi Vidi Lake, are important breeding and feeding areas for coastal birds that also use the environment of neighboring harbours.
Our volunteers conduct standardized bird surveys four times throughout the year, following scientific methods used across Canada. Observations are submitted through NatureCounts, and Nature NL staff process the data into a format that can help inform government agencies, emergency responders, and other organizations involved in oil-spill preparedness and response.
By building this baseline knowledge, we can better understand: Which species are using these areas, when birds are present throughout the year, how many birds could potentially be affected by an oil spill, and where monitoring and response efforts may be most needed.
Monitoring sites include:
- St. John’s Harbour
- Quidi Vidi Lake
- Long Pond Marina
- Holyrood Marina
- Bay Bulls Harbour
- Come by Chance Port
The waterbird survey dates are:
- Winter: January 15th to February 28th
- Spring: April 15th to May 31st.
- Summer: July 15th to August 30th
- Fall: October 15th to November 31st
How the program works:
Volunteer citizen scientists monitor sites four times per year, using Nature NL’s Waterbird Citizen Science Monitoring Protocol where data is logged and stored on the NatureCounts database. The data collected is publicly accessible and is used by Environment and Climate Change Canada, among others, to inform oil spill preparedness. Each monitoring site has specific coordinates where the survey must be carried out. Each survey site is monitoring for a minimum of 30 minutes.
If you would like to become a Waterbird Citizen Science Volunteer, email our Program Coordinator at [email protected].