2023 SSGN End of Season Celebration
On September 28th, we celebrated the successful end to our 20th year of Pigeon Guillemot Breeding Surveys!!
We came together as a collective group to share stories, photos, and videos from the different survey regions across the Salish Sea. The evening reminded us that although every region has its own unique attributes and highlights, we are connected through our love of the guillemots and Puget Sound, as well as our dedication to monitoring the birds and providing solid data to those tracking their health. We understand the importance of doing so in the overarching goal of conservation, and we are committed to continuing this incredible project for many more years to come. The focus of 2023 was to make a big push in gathering consistent and clean data, and getting it in on time--and we did just that! The effort that went into putting the process in motion and seeing it through was remarkable, and we were rewarded with a fabulous visual presentation of our data by Whidbey surveyor and data handler extraordinaire, Dave Krause. To top off the evening, we welcomed South Sound PIGU surveyor and author, Maria Ruth, to share her fascinating insight into the meanings of Pigeon Guillemot vocalizations and postural displays. Maria has left no stone unturned in preparation for her book on Pigeon Guillemots, and the depth of knowledge she has to share is extraordinary. We feel fortunate to have Maria among us! If you missed the event, or want to go back and rewatch moments, no worries, we've got you covered below. Enjoy!
We came together as a collective group to share stories, photos, and videos from the different survey regions across the Salish Sea. The evening reminded us that although every region has its own unique attributes and highlights, we are connected through our love of the guillemots and Puget Sound, as well as our dedication to monitoring the birds and providing solid data to those tracking their health. We understand the importance of doing so in the overarching goal of conservation, and we are committed to continuing this incredible project for many more years to come. The focus of 2023 was to make a big push in gathering consistent and clean data, and getting it in on time--and we did just that! The effort that went into putting the process in motion and seeing it through was remarkable, and we were rewarded with a fabulous visual presentation of our data by Whidbey surveyor and data handler extraordinaire, Dave Krause. To top off the evening, we welcomed South Sound PIGU surveyor and author, Maria Ruth, to share her fascinating insight into the meanings of Pigeon Guillemot vocalizations and postural displays. Maria has left no stone unturned in preparation for her book on Pigeon Guillemots, and the depth of knowledge she has to share is extraordinary. We feel fortunate to have Maria among us! If you missed the event, or want to go back and rewatch moments, no worries, we've got you covered below. Enjoy!
SSGN 2023 End of Season Celebration: Full Video
SSGN 2023 Data Summary by Dave Krause
Maria Ruth on Pigeon Guillemot Vocalizations and Postural Displays - 2023
2023 PIGU Breeding Season Weekly Survey Updates
Volunteers, want to know what's happening each week across the network and get important reminders and updates? Find our SSGN weekly survey updates here.
Brenda Johnson and Karin Ertl on podcast, "Nature Now" with Jackie Canterbury
Listen to Dr. Brenda Johnson, Regional Lead for the East Jefferson County Pigeon Guillemot Breeding Survey, and volunteer Karin Ertl as they speak with Jackie Canterbury on the KPTZ podcast production, "Nature Now". Brenda and Karin give a wonderful account of Pigeon Guillemots, why we study them, what it means to be a surveyor on the beach throughout their breeding season, and why we love them so.
Join Us for Guillemot Appreciation Day 2023!
Click on the poster above for a downloadable file.
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Preliminary Data Report for 2022 Season
Presented at the End of Season Celebration October 5th, 2022. |
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Salish Sea Guillemot Network End of Season Celebration - 2022
This recap of the 2022 Pigeon Guillemot Breeding Survey conducted by the Salish Sea Guillemot Network includes stories and impressions of the season from the various Regions, as well as preliminary results compared to the 2021 season. The guest speaker is Senior Marine Ecologist with Point Blue Conservation Science, Dr. Mike Johns. He discusses some long-term trends and new insights into the breeding and migratory behavior of Pigeon Guillemots on Southeast Farallon Island. Dr. Johns just wrapped up his 9th season on the Farallones, and he shares recent results from a 3-year telemetry study, along with the history of Point Blue’s 54-year legacy of seabird research on a remote offshore California outcropping.
His presentation begins 1 hr - 3 mins - 23 secs into the video.
This recap of the 2022 Pigeon Guillemot Breeding Survey conducted by the Salish Sea Guillemot Network includes stories and impressions of the season from the various Regions, as well as preliminary results compared to the 2021 season. The guest speaker is Senior Marine Ecologist with Point Blue Conservation Science, Dr. Mike Johns. He discusses some long-term trends and new insights into the breeding and migratory behavior of Pigeon Guillemots on Southeast Farallon Island. Dr. Johns just wrapped up his 9th season on the Farallones, and he shares recent results from a 3-year telemetry study, along with the history of Point Blue’s 54-year legacy of seabird research on a remote offshore California outcropping.
His presentation begins 1 hr - 3 mins - 23 secs into the video.
Join Us for Guillemot Appreciation Day 2022!
A fall resident: Govinda Holtby took these photos of a PIGU that's been hanging out at the Langley Marina. Govinda says, "He's been very vocal, giving the pigeons and gulls the 'what for'." That sounds fun to watch.
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2021 End of Season Event Recordings
After a successful 2021 season we celebrated by gathering to share stories from across the network, hear about the season's data, and listen to a presentation from Scott Pearson, Senior Research Scientist at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Watch both the data recap for the 2021 season and Dr. Pearson's presentation below.
Check out this wonderful article by Eric Wagner in "Salish Sea Currents" about our Pigeon Guillemot survey, and enjoy some background on Frances Wood, a founder of the Whidbey Island Pigeon Guillemot Survey:
Unsung Seabirds Could Help Track Puget Sound Health
Unsung Seabirds Could Help Track Puget Sound Health
New video details our community science survey on Whidbey Island, with stunning footage of our local Pigeon Guillemots.
Upcoming Trainings/Presentations
7/12/19-Training for volunteers on Bainbridge Island
5/30/19 Penny Creek Elementary's science fair day. (for 2nd grade enrolled classes)
5/11/19- Spring volunteer all day training for new survey area of Bainbridge Island. Time and place to be
determined.
5/9/19-Program feature for Eastide Audubon in Kirkland
5/8/19- that is Wednesday, May 8th, 2019- Spring Volunteer Training 6:30 p.m. Returning volunteers join us at 7:15 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island 20103 WA-525, Freeland, WA 98249
4/4/19- Sound Waters Stewards class (for SWS enrolled participants)
3/13/19- Presentation to the mountaineers group in Seattle 7-9 p.m. $5 at the door for non-members
See link below for details.
www.mountaineers.org/locations-lodges/seattle-program-center/events/naturalists-study-group-lecturer?fbclid=IwAR2WRqlSWSL7ypjmPqZ4ClQXFO6ksrDY7UrJSFmRtJYYIwmdvq9oxvSzrjA
2018 Season included the installation of two burrow cameras; Langley Marina, and Mutiny Sands. We have a compilation of 4 slides documenting life inside the Pigeon Guillemot burrow.
- 10/4/18 End of season potluck at the Unitarian universalist church in Freeland 6 p.m. 20103 Hwy 525. Please bring a side dish to share
- 10/2/18 the Guillemot Research Group's intern will give a power point on her data findings over the summer.Marine Resources Committee 3:00 p.m. Room b-102 county annex building Coupeville
- 6/23/18 Guillemot Appreciation Day(s)! meet 8 a.m. at the TLC park & ride 18341 Hwy 525 to visit a Pigeon Guillemot Colony
- 6/2218 Guillemot Appreciation Day(s)! 3-5 p.m. at Ott&Murphy WInery (family friendly) 204 1st street Langley.
- 5/31/18 Penny Creek Elementary's Science Fair Day (for 2nd grade enrolled classes)
- 5/30/18 Volunteer training Vashon Island Public Library 6-7:30 p.m. 17210 Vashon Hwy SW
- 5/29/18 South Whidbey Elementary School (for 3rd grade enrolled class)
- 5/8/18 Spring Volunteer Training 6:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island 20103 WA-525, Freeland, WA 98249
- 4/5/18 Sound Waters Stewards class ( For SWS enrolled participants)
- 4/2/18 Washington Ornithological Society 7 p.m. 3501 NE 41st St Seattle, WA
- 2/3/18 Sound Waters one day university at SWHS 5675 Maxwelton Road, Langley WA
- 1/3/18 KPTZ Part 2 Nature Now radio show on Pigeon Guillemots (podcast available)
- 12/13/17 Port Townsend radio KPTZ Part 1 Nature Now radio show on Pigeon Guillemots (podcast available)
- 12/19/17 Rainier Audubon Society Chapter Meeting 7 p.m. Federal Way Methodist Church
A lovely stop motion animation from the Northwest Striats Foundation highlighting community science projects including Pigeon Guillemot study. Click on the Vimeo icon above.
Pigeon Guillemot adorns 2015-2016 Whidbey Telecom Phone book