​Chaplin and Reed Lake Shorebird Survey

Citizen Science is the basis for The Chaplin Lake Shorebird Survey. We need volunteers who are passionate about conservation and who wish to contribute to the better understanding of shorebirds that visit these lakes. The aim of the project is to recruit volunteers during the spring migration that can help get all the surveys done weekly. Although we hope to have volunteers who can be a part of the surveys on an annual basis we also welcome those who can only give a day or two.

 

Who is best suited to survey?

 

Individuals who have the equipment; primarily binoculars or a spotting scope and a transportation.

Individuals able to follow the protocol and fill out the survey form.

Individuals who have access to a computer to upload forms using the link on the online form tab.

Individuals interested in shorebirds that have IDing skills, or those wishing to better their IDing skills.

 

 

Where should I start?

 

If you are interested first check out the documents page and read through the protocol , this will give you a good idea of what you will be required to do. Contact the Chaplin Nature Center to sign up for locations on specific dates or to ask any questions you have that the manual may not have answered. Brush up on your shorebirds, the survey form has a list of all the birds you may see. There are six primary species we are on the lookout for so be sure you know how to ID these. Finally go out and have fun!

 

What if I do not have any shorebird experience but wish to learn?

 

For those who are new to surveying shorebirds or birding in general but still wish to participate we recommend you contact the Nature Center before or during the survey season. Let them know that you are interested but inexperienced and if it is possible would like to shadow one of the more experienced surveyors. In the future there may be an official mentorship program that will make it easier for those wanting to better their shorebird skills to pair up with some one more experienced.

 

We also recommend going out and and practicing by trying the survey on your own. Take a survey sheet and a protocol and try it out for yourself, you don't have to hand in your final counts. Even the best birders started out inexperienced, with enough practice you can get to a point where you too feel confident enough to start being a volunteer. For help with identifying there are many good books and websites (some of which you can find on the links page) which can be a big help.