2009 Scoter Captures

Season Total: 1264 Scoters

Check the Project Progress Page for weekly updates, tabular summary of the season thus far, and pictures.

The Project

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife is conducting the 3rd year of banding White-winged and Surf Scoters in the Puget Sound and southern Strait of Georgia this late-July through mid-September. The first year (2007) our focus was on developing techniques for capturing molting scoters; we captured for one week, and learned that we had the potential for capturing numerous scoters (203 captured).  Last year, 2008, was the 1st year of the full scale effort (1302 banded [see 2008 summary page for results]).

Like 2008, this year we will be capturing over the complete molt period in an attempt to better identify when the different species and sexes molt, and to estimate a recapture rate. From these data we are hoping to determine the feasibility of conducting a flyway-wide banding/survival program in the coming years.

Capture areas will be the same as during the 2008 captures; two locations in the north Puget Sound/Georgia Strait: Anacortes (Padilla Bay and Forbes Point) and Point Roberts (Fraser River and Boundary Bay). Ideally we would like 13 people participating per day, as this would allow us to have two separate crews (one to capture/band scoters, and the other to band and collect more detailed measurements on selected scoters, as part of our collaboration with researchers from Simon Fraser University and the Canadian Wildlife Service).

Due to an ever decreasing budget, we will not be able to provide reimbursement for time/lodging/travel. 

open volunteer positions

We have two positions this coming week that can be filled.  The schedule changes often, so keep checking back if you are interested in filling an open slot.

  • 09 September (Padilla Bay) – up to 1 position
  • 10 September (Padilla Bay) – up to 1 position

If you would like to participate please let me know.  The empty slots are posted on the Unscheduled Positions Page.  -Thank You

Thank You!

We would like to say "Thank You" to all who have signed up to work on the project! Without your assistance this project would not be feasible at the scale we are striving to achieve.

Within just a couple of weeks since the announcement of a need of volunteers to assist we have a total of over 80 people who have signed up to help.

Of the 27 capture days scheduled we have a total of 348 person/days for a fully crewed effort. Currently many days are over scheduled totaling 355 person/days scheduled. If you would like to participate check the Unscheduled Positions page. This page will be updated if/as people need to cancel, so check back frequently, or call me at (360)790-8691.

My apologies for those who were not able to participate because we do not have room.

Need to Change Your Schedule?

If you need to make a change to your scheduled dates please contact me as soon as possible. I will need as much lead-time as possible to re-fill your spot:

-Joe Evenson, 360-790-8691, evensjre@dfw.wa.gov

It is best to phone me directly as I often do not have internet access each day.  If I do not answer the phone, leave a message, then send me an email as well.

Scheduling

The Doodle scheduling page has been closed, as the schedule is nearly full.  Please view see the Scheduling Page for details on the schedule. To sign up for days that are still not full please contact me evensjre@dfw.wa.giv (360-790-8691).  See the list on the Unscheduled Positions page.

There are several days that are over-scheduled.  We will be asking some people to serve as alternates for these days.  Generally, the decision of who will serve as an alternate will be based on the order of when people signed up (the last people to sign up for a given day will likely be asked to be alternates).

Required Skills

There are no required skills to participate, however, we do need "many" of each day's participants to have had some experience handling wildlife, banding birds, and experience on the water. If you participated in 2008 you should be good to go. If you do not have experience you should still sign up, but we will need to insure there are sufficient skilled personnel participating each day. In addition, if you do not have previous skills banding birds, it would be beneficial if you could commit to more than one day, as the more “skilled” personnel we have each day, the more successful our efforts are likely to be. Time is expended each day training, and we would like to minimize this to maximize our capture efficiency.

Boat Operator Skills

We may be able to use your skills, if you are adept at operating small boats.  Due to the State budget cuts, we are short one of our primary staff members, who was also a key boat operator. Hopefully we will have most of these boat operator positions filled, but we will likely be looking for boat operators on some days. When I talk to you, let me know of your boat operating experience, if any.

Forms and Policies - Important

As this is a WDFW project, if you are NOT a WDFW employee, there are a couple of forms to fill out and sign, as well as numerous policies to read. Please read the policies, then print, fill out, sign, and bring the forms with you to the captures. They can be found on the Volunteer Forms Page.  It a volunteer is under 18, a parent or legal guardian will need to sign the forms for them.

Need a Place to Stay While Participating?

If you need lodging we may be able to arrange for you to stay with us. During the Puget Sound captures (Padilla/Oak Harbor) we will be renting a nearby cabin and will also have a travel trailer to stay in.  While in B.C. we will be staying in two travel trailers located at Point Roberts.  Please contact me to see if we have room the nights you require.  We should be able to provide a bed, however, you will need to provide bedding.  If you have a tent, that works too.

Things to Bring

For Captures and Banding

If You Staying Overnight With Us

Need to change your schedule?

If you need to make a change to your scheduled dates please contact me as soon as possible. I will need as much lead-time as possible to re-fill your spot:

It is best to phone me directly as I may not have internet access each day.

Weather Links

Forecasts

Observations