Audubon Coastal Bird Survey

Fall Survey Pulse: 20 Aug – 30 Oct
Winter Survey Pulse: 10 Jan – 20 Feb
Spring Survey Pulse: 20 Mar – 30 May

The Audubon Coastal Bird Survey is a volunteer-based citizen science program designed to provide scientists with valuable data for addressing conservation needs of coastal shorebirds and waterbirds that breed, winter and migrate along the Gulf Coast. The program, originally established through the Baton Rouge Audubon Society, Pascagoula River Audubon Center, and Audubon’s Gulf Program in response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster, provides valuable population and habitat-use data for a variety of coastal shorebirds and waterbirds, many of which are experiencing population declines.

Frequent coastal waterbird surveys during key migratory and winter periods are used to understand how waterbirds use coastal habitats locally and across the northern Gulf of Mexico and is consistent with monitoring priorities developed by national waterbird and shorebird conservation plans. In addition, the survey protocols are designed to align with Manomet’s International Shorebird Survey, the primary tool for understanding migratory shorebird population trends in the Western Hemisphere.

If you live near or visit the Gulf Coast, and would like to participate, please contact the staff from National Audubon Society and/or Audubon chapters listed below so that we can connect you to the resources and information you’ll need.

Texas
Pete Deichmann, Coastal Sanctuaries Manager, Houston Audubon
Alexis Baldera, Coastal Program Manager, Audubon Texas

Louisiana
Chloe St. Germain-Vermillion, LA Coastal Bird Technician, Audubon Delta

Mississippi
Collin Stempien, MS Field Operations Senior Coordinator, Audubon Delta

Alabama
Lianne Koczur, Science and Conservation Director, Alabama Audubon

Click for an interactive map of survey locations

You can find out more about the survey program by downloading the documents below.