Week 1: June 1st-7th Season Kick-off!

Today we kick off Week 1 our 2025 PIGU summer breeding survey! All of our careful planning, preparations, and training are complete. Now we will go out, across the Salish Sea, and observe our favorite seabirds, doing what they do to continue their species. As I sit here typing, I wonder how many of you are out on the beach right now, enjoying this beautiful morning with the guillemots?

Each year I look forward to this time with anticipation of the stories and photos that come in from around the regions. There is a sense of knowing how the season will go, certain patterns we are familiar with and expect, but as always the birds love to surprise and delight us, and even throw us a few curve balls. But every curve ball leads us to learn and grow as a group, and strengthens our connection to our PIGU. It's a wonderful thing!

Also, a huge welcome to all of our new survey volunteers! There are quite a few new faces this year and we are so happy to have you! 

As we head out to our beaches and settle into our weekly early morning survey routines, I want to thank each one of you for your dedication to this project and to the PIGU! It's not lost how much time, effort, and care go into collecting data on this important Salish Sea species. The time you spend observing the guillemots adds to our knowledge base and better prepares us as a community and a state to be stewards of the birds and the marine environment. I can't thank you enough! 

I hope you enjoy this time as much as I do! Please do send me any interesting observations or fun stories that happen from week to week, and pictures too! You know how much I love to share! The same goes for questions you might have as things come up! Don't hesitate to reach out. If you're wondering or unclear about anything, chances are others are too, and asking questions will help bring those things to light.

Speaking of sharing, here is a sweet PIGU video that I came across, that was filmed in Monterey, CA. It comes from a fairly old blog post, but I think you might find it fun! 

If you'd like to read the blog post, you can find that here.

I love how the author calls the Pigeon Guillemot, the "Easy Alcid"--I think we can all relate! :)

I also want to bring your attention to the Whidbey "International Guillemot Appreciation Day" celebration, coming up on Friday, June 27th from 3:00-5:00pm at the Ott and Hunter Winery in Langley. This is open to everyone! I will be there and look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces! 

Here's to a wonderful season!! Take care!