Waterbird Surveys

Participants in this citizen science project will have the opportunity to learn about the waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds, gulls, and other waterbirds found at Titlow Park in Tacoma.  Volunteers will gain experience in bird identification, survey techniques, and the use of binoculars and spotting scopes as well as knowledge of natural history. 

People For Puget Sound conducts monthly waterbird surveys of Titlow Lagoon and beach in an effort to gather baseline information on the numbers and types of birds utilizing the lagoon in its current, rather degraded state.  In the future, we hope to undertake a large-scale, multi-partner estuary restoration project at the site to improve fish and wildlife habitat and to enhance natural ecological processes, such as tidal connectivity and sediment transport.  If the waterbird surveys are continued, we will have a valuable pre- and post- restoration data set on the waterbird community.

South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and Metro Parks Tacoma are key partners in the planning and implementation of the restoration project.

For more information, see the article “What the Birds Tell Us” or contact cdonehower@pugetsound.org.