The pigeon guillemot breeding survey was initiated on Whidbey Island in 2004 by Frances Wood and Dr. Phyllis Kind. With support from the Whidbey Audubon Society, they developed a survey protocol and trained volunteers. The survey typically runs from June to August during the breeding season and is almost entirely conducted by community volunteers.
Over the years more organizations have joined the Whidbey Island survey to conduct the survey in their own regions. This expansion developed into the Salish Sea Guillemot Network (SSGN) (for more history , which is a collective of multiple organizations who conduct the breeding survey across the Salish Sea. As of 2022, surveys are being conducted in seven different areas (with ~150 volunteers network wide):
Whidbey Island began surveys in 2004; supported by Whidbey Audubon.
Clallam began surveys in 2015; managed and supported collaboratively by Clallam County Marine Resources Committee and Olympic Peninsula Audubon.
Camano Island began surveys in 2020; managed and supported by Sound Water Stewards of Island County
Bainbridge Island began surveys in 2019; supported by Kitsap Audubon
Vashon Island began surveys in 2018; managed by Vashon Nature Center with support from Vashon Audubon
South Sound began surveys in 2013; managed and supported by Nisqually Reach Nature Center
New in 2021! Jefferson County East
Additionally the SSGN collaborates with and has support from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Sarah Converse's Quantitative Conservation Lab at the University of Washington. We have had additional financial support from National Audubon Society and the Northwest Straits Initiative.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact your nearest survey leads below, or visit our how to get involved page to find the closest survey area to you.
Whidbey Island - Michele Sakaguchi, micheles@whidbey.com, and Lee Badovinus, leeb43@whidbey.com, Whidbey Coordinators
Clallam - Ed Bowlby, Clallam County Marine Resources Committee, https://www.clallamcountymrc.org/projects/pigeon-guillemot-survey/
Camano Island - Ellyn Thoreen, Camano Island Coordinator, camano-coord@soundwaterstewards.org
Bainbridge Island - Cyndy Holtz, Bainbridge Coordinator, cyndy.holtz@gmail.com
Vashon Island - Bianca Perla, Vashon Coordinator, https://vashonnaturecenter.org/contact-us/, info@vashonnaturecenter.org
South Sound - Terence Lee, Science Director, terencelee@nisquallyestuary.org
Jefferson County East - Dr. Brenda Johnson, Jefferson coordinator, bsjohnson1@icloud.com
Over the years more organizations have joined the Whidbey Island survey to conduct the survey in their own regions. This expansion developed into the Salish Sea Guillemot Network (SSGN) (for more history , which is a collective of multiple organizations who conduct the breeding survey across the Salish Sea. As of 2022, surveys are being conducted in seven different areas (with ~150 volunteers network wide):
Whidbey Island began surveys in 2004; supported by Whidbey Audubon.
Clallam began surveys in 2015; managed and supported collaboratively by Clallam County Marine Resources Committee and Olympic Peninsula Audubon.
Camano Island began surveys in 2020; managed and supported by Sound Water Stewards of Island County
Bainbridge Island began surveys in 2019; supported by Kitsap Audubon
Vashon Island began surveys in 2018; managed by Vashon Nature Center with support from Vashon Audubon
South Sound began surveys in 2013; managed and supported by Nisqually Reach Nature Center
New in 2021! Jefferson County East
Additionally the SSGN collaborates with and has support from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Sarah Converse's Quantitative Conservation Lab at the University of Washington. We have had additional financial support from National Audubon Society and the Northwest Straits Initiative.
If you are interested in getting involved, contact your nearest survey leads below, or visit our how to get involved page to find the closest survey area to you.
Whidbey Island - Michele Sakaguchi, micheles@whidbey.com, and Lee Badovinus, leeb43@whidbey.com, Whidbey Coordinators
Clallam - Ed Bowlby, Clallam County Marine Resources Committee, https://www.clallamcountymrc.org/projects/pigeon-guillemot-survey/
Camano Island - Ellyn Thoreen, Camano Island Coordinator, camano-coord@soundwaterstewards.org
Bainbridge Island - Cyndy Holtz, Bainbridge Coordinator, cyndy.holtz@gmail.com
Vashon Island - Bianca Perla, Vashon Coordinator, https://vashonnaturecenter.org/contact-us/, info@vashonnaturecenter.org
South Sound - Terence Lee, Science Director, terencelee@nisquallyestuary.org
Jefferson County East - Dr. Brenda Johnson, Jefferson coordinator, bsjohnson1@icloud.com
Guillemot Research Group
PO Box 1254
Langley, Wa 98260
Guillemotresearch@gmail.com