We Counted Over a Half a Million Shorebirds!
Wetlands and waterbodies like the Great Salt Lake provide critical habitat and food for breeding and migrating shorebirds. As part of the Intermountain West Shorebird Survey, our amazing volunteers and biologists survey locations across Utah to document shorebirds on their migratory journeys.
In August 2024 (our fifth survey since 2022) we counted an incredible 525,971 shorebirds! Learn more about the survey, the decline of shorebirds in North America, and the importance of the Great Salt Lake for shorebirds below and in our latest film, Wings in a World on Fire.
Do you want to make a difference for shorebirds and participate in the survey? Keep an eye out here and on our social media to sign up for our Spring 2025 survey.
Wings in a World on Fire, A Sageland Collaborative film by Sarah Woodbury, 2024.
Intermountain West Shorebird Survey
Shorebirds are a diverse and fascinating group of birds that are most often associated with water. Many shorebird species make epic, long-distance migrations thousands of miles between their breeding grounds as far north as the Arctic Tundra to their nonbreeding grounds as far as southernmost South America and back again each year! Unfortunately, shorebirds in North America are facing some of the steepest population declines of any bird group.
The Intermountain West is an oasis for migratory shorebirds. A comprehensive shorebird survey was last completed across the region in 1989-1995, but much has changed in the past 30 years. Climate change, drought, development, and increasing human use of water have significantly reduced the amount and quality of available habitat and food. The Intermountain West Shorebird Survey is a collaborative effort across 11 states to replicate the census of the past so we can better sustain shorebirds into the future.
The survey objectives are:
Document the distribution and abundance of shorebirds at more than 200 survey sites during the spring and fall migrations from 2022-2026.
Use survey data to compare distribution and abundance with the historical shorebird survey from 1989-1995.
Identify factors that influence the distribution and abundance of shorebirds with the aim to provide management recommendations and conserve critical habitats.
Sageland Collaborative, along with our partners at National Audubon Society, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Division of Natural Resources, Tracy Aviary, Point Blue Conservation Science, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service work together to lead this survey effort in Utah. Each season, we train and recruit volunteers to survey areas across Great Salt Lake, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Utah Lake, and the Amalga Barrens Sanctuary. Survey teams are comprised of professional biologists and volunteer birdwatchers.
We cannot accomplish our conservation goals without your generous donation of time and expertise. Thank you!
Photo by Janice Gardner.
What to Expect
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Shorebird Surveyors should meet the following requirements. Let us pair you with a team!
1. Have a passion for birds and time outdoors!
2. Commit to one survey day in the spring or fall and the back-up weather date for each survey.
3. Consider committing to both spring and fall surveys, and multiple years of the project.
4. Have reliable vehicle transportation.
5. Have your own binoculars and bonus points if you have a spotting scope! *We have a limited amount of equipment to share; reach out to Emm Clark if interested.
6. Attend an annual online training (or watch recording) and learn how to follow a detailed survey protocol.
7. Be safety conscience and cooperate with field partners.
8. Collect high quality data in the field.
9. Navigate to and around their survey area using GPS and maps.
10. Be able to identify shorebirds in breeding and non-breeding plumage or have a willingness to learn how!
What We’ll Do: Count shorebirds & White-faced Ibis at survey areas across Utah. Each group has a team lead and will cover one survey area.
What to Wear: Appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, sun protection, muck boots or shoes that can get wet, and sunglasses.
What to Bring: Snacks/lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray.
Questions? Contact Project Coordinator Emm Clark.
Resources
Support shorebirds at Great Salt Lake and other wildlife in the West by donating today.
At a Glance
Thank you for your interest in participating in the Utah migratory shorebird survey. Stay tuned for the Spring 2025 sign-up window which will open in the winter.
Stay Current: Sign up for our newsletters and follow along on social media for updates!
Spring 2025 Survey Dates: The big day will be held on Friday April 25, 2025. The backup survey date is May 2, 2025.
Training Required: Participants are required to attend a virtual training session and review the survey plan and protocols (even if you have participated before).
Age: This survey is for participants 18 years of age or older.
Commitment Level = High: Learn basic shorebird identification on your own, complete a virtual training, review survey materials, and participate in a day-long project outdoors (and commit to a back-up survey date).
Physical Requirements: Work will be in and around wet areas, requiring walking over uneven or muddy surfaces (please contact us if you have questions about accessibility and potential accommodations). Also required is an ability or willingness to learn how to identify shorebirds by sight.
Contact: Project Coordinator Emm Clark.
Important Stories
Read our latest blog post that dives into the interconnectedness of shorebirds and global communities.
Wings and Hands: Cultural Connection through Shorebirds
Phalarope at Great Salt Lake photo ©Sierra Hastings
Read our blog post about why this work is important to a tiny bird that spins across the lake to get its food.
A Little Spinning Bird and the Wider World of Great Salt Lake Conservation
Red-necked phalarope photo ©Dorian Anderson
