This Fall, we counted 298,732 shorebirds and White-faced Ibis across Utah!
Last month, our team of 134 volunteer community scientists and partner biologists set out across Utah to count shorebirds and White-faced Ibis, and we are thrilled to be able to share the preliminary results from those surveys with you.
During the August survey window, our teams surveyed 71 areas across the state by plane, boat, OHV, vehicle, and many miles on foot. These surveys would not be possible without the support of our survey teams — thank you for being part of this region-wide effort!
Data Breakdown
Ruddy Turnstone observed by the Lee Creek survey team © Connie Misket
Shorebirds Counted in Utah
Total shorebirds = 274,105
Top 3 Most Abundant Shorebird Species:
American Avocet = 125,400
Wilson's Phalarope = 39,592
Red-necked Phalarope = 36,863
Rare Finds for Utah:
Red Knot in nonbreeding plumage © Kim Kuntze
Ruddy Turnstone = 1
Red Knot = 30
White-faced Ibis forage along the shores of Great Salt Lake © Patrick McAtee
UT Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Greatest Information Need:
American Avocet = 125,400
Greater Yellowlegs = 315
Long-billed Curlew = 48
Long-billed Dowitcher = 9,403
Marbled Godwit = 3,226
Snowy Plover = 474
Western Sandpiper = 560
White-faced Ibis = 24,627
Willet = 64
Wilson's Phalarope = 39,592
Get your Limited Edition Print!
Limited edition print designed by Courtney Johnson to commemorate Utah’s Intermountain West Shorebird Surveys.
These limited edition, signed & numbered prints have been adapted by Courtney Johnson from the "Wet Your Willet" Fisher Brewing x Sageland Collaborative beer release and are now available to purchase! Only 100 were printed, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to display your love of shorebird conservation!
Proceeds from print sales support Sageland Collaborative’s work to protect Western wildlife through habitat restoration and community science projects.
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.
Develop Your Shorebirder Skills!
Utah Shorebird Identification Flashcards
Shorebird Identification Videos
Nevada Shorebird Identification - Lauren Whitenack with Great Basin Bird Observatory
Shorebird Identification 101 - Red Rock Audubon
Basic Shorebird Identification - Kenn Kaufman
Identification of Shorebirds with a Focus on Calidris - Jon Dunn and Lara Tseng
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. Keep an eye out in the coming months for Spring 2026 signups!
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 was held on Saturday August 9, 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
Lesser Known Species Highlight: Long-billed Dowitchers
Long-billed Dowitcher © Quinn Diaz
Wings in a World on Fire, A Sageland Collaborative film by Sarah Woodbury, 2024.
Phalarope at Great Salt Lake © Sierra Hastings
Red-necked phalarope © Dorian Anderson
