Annual Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey Research

Quick Links:
How to Become a Volunteer • Pacific Flyaway Shorebird Survey • 2023-2026 Strategic Plan

Many North American shorebird species are thought to be in decline and the influence that changing wetland habitats (specifically in the San Francisco Bay) have on these populations is not well understood. So in the winter of 2008, we participated in a comprehensive survey of the estuary San Francisco as part of the Pacific Flyway Project to replicate censuses conducted in the 1980s and 1990s. This survey provided data for assessment, management, and conservation of wintering shorebird populations. It was then used to establish an annual San Francisco Bay Shorebird Survey beginning in 2010. The survey is a coordinated, multi-partner monitoring program to assess annual shorebird population changes. Our biologists and community scientists survey sites across the South San Francisco Bay and provide data to the broader Bay Area region. 

Through our Strategic Plan we aim to expand the use of our data and research, and engage with other scientific communities and resource-management agencies, to address climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental issues. We hope you will join our community of scientists, resource managers, and environmental organizations by using our data and analysis to better understand how birds are doing and find ways to promote sustainability in your community.

Jump to the following sections: Impact of Our Work, View our Data, Pacific Flyaway Shorebird Survey in the Media, Get Involved, and Thanks to our Supporters. 

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Impact of Our Work

Collaborate with Other Projects and Share Our Data Internationally - This data provides guidance to resource managers about which shorebird species are at greatest risk and which habitats they most rely upon. The survey also contributes to larger shorebird monitoring efforts in the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey and Migratory Shorebird Project.

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View Our Protocols, Data and Findings

Click on the links below to view our data and reports. For information about our Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey or to discuss collaborations involving our data, please contact Science Director Nathan Van Schmidt at [email protected].

• Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey Project Overview and Historical Data
• Migratory Shorebird Project Project Overview and Historical​
• Effects of Drought on the Abundance and Distribution of Non-breeding Shorebirds in Central Calfornia, USA
• The State of the Birds San Francisco Bay - 2011
• Abundance and Distribution of Wintering Shorebirds in San Francisco Bay, 1990-2008: Population Change and Informing Future Monitoring - 2010
• 2008 San Francisco Bay Shorebird Census - 2008​

Photo by Jacqueline Deely

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 Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey in the News and Media

Click on the links below to read the latest news about the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey.

• Exploring the Wonder of Birds Through the Migratory Shorebird Project, Discover's Citizen Science Salon  - 2017
• San Francisco Bay Recognized as 'Wetland of International Importance, Audubon - 2013
• Wild Neighbors: The State of the Shorebirds, The Berkeley Daily Planet - 2010​

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Get Involved 

Volunteer - Attend trainings and help our biologists survey the South Bay shorebirds by becoming a volunteer. 

Donate - Make a positive impact for birds and habitats by giving generously to SFBBO. Every donation we receive is wisely invested in our mission.

Learn - Learn about birds and bird conservation by participating in our environmental education programs, please contact [email protected] to learn more.

Share - Share our story by covering our work in your publication. Please contact Outreach and Communications Director Kristin Butler at [email protected] to learn more. 

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Thanks to Our Volunteers and Supporters

Thank you to the volunteers who participate in this program each fall and to our donors who support this ongoing work. Thanks also to our partners Point Blue Conservation Science for leading the effort in the Bay Area.