Fall 2025 Shorebird Survey Sign-ups are OPEN!

Thank you to all of our incredible surveyors who made our spring 2025 effort a huge success. With great weather and our most participants to date, our teams covered 71 survey areas and counted 59,390 shorebirds! Let's do it again this fall migration survey.

Sign-ups are NOW OPEN for our Fall Shorebird Survey, scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025 with a weather backup day of August 16, 2025!

We will be back trekking across Utah's wetlands to census these migratory birds and we hope you'll join us to make an impact for shorebirds. Participants will be required to watch our virtual training video, review all survey materials, know basic shorebird identification, and be prepared for a full day outside.

Spring 2025 Preliminary Results Breakdown

  • We counted 79,318 shorebirds and White-faced Ibis across Utah

  • Top 3 most abundant shorebird species were American Avocet, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Black-necked Stilt

  • Less common migrants observed included Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Solitary Sandpiper

  • We collected critical data on Snowy Plover, a Utah Species of Greatest Conservation Need

About the 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.

2025 project sticker, designed by Valerie Jar.

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.

Volunteer Resources

Utah’s Shorebird Survey Materials

Develop Your Shorebirder Skills!

Shorebird Identification Videos

Additional Shorebird ID Cards & Slides

How to Count Birds

Support shorebirds at Great Salt Lake and other wildlife in the West by donating today.

Participation At a Glance

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Utah migratory shorebird survey. Sign-ups are NOW OPEN for our Fall Shorebird Survey. Registration will close on June 30, 2025.

Stay Current: Registered participants will receive regular newsletters with next steps, and can also check this page for updates.

Fall 2025 Survey Dates: The big day will be held on Saturday August 9, 2025. The backup survey date is August 16, 2025.

Training Required: Participants are required to watch the training video, practice shorebird identification in their own time, as well as review the Survey Plan and Data Form in advance (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

Wings in a World on Fire, A Sageland Collaborative film by Sarah Woodbury, 2024.

Phalarope at Great Salt Lake photo ©Sierra Hastings

Red-necked phalarope photo ©Dorian Anderson

 

Project Partners: