First for Me

First bird I've seen processed
- an immature gull species -
#139 for Hobuck this year

The "Hobuck Beach Babes" crew pose at the end of the survey
 (L to R) Sally, Nancy, Heidi  and Sarah

I was fortunate enough to join Heidi (Citizen Science Coordinator for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary) and several members of the Washington Hobuck beach crew today for a survey on one of the most northwestern of COASST beaches in WA. Although the weather was chilly and overcast (at least for this NC native), I was able to bundle up and tag along as COASSTers combed the beach for dead birds. It wasn't long after our start that we found what we were searching for, the first dead bird I've seen while out on patrol. A few measurements, tags, and pictures later and the crew had identified a "Large Immature Gull" (a general category used to describe any sizable juvenile gull species). The mortality data collected here, like at all COASST beaches, helps determine the "baseline" rate and nature of bird mortality, critical knowledge used to compare against unusual events or gradual changes over time. While at Hobuck, crew members also conducted an 100 meter marine debris survey - part of a NOAA-affiliated research project, in addition to their customary sweep of the beach for any debris. What a fun day with the "Hobuck beach babes"!

COASST volunteer Nancy was particularly successful spotting
debris from nearby oyster farms

Marine debris found in just 100 m on Hobuck Beach