New Gulf Coast Oil Spill Bird Tracker

This tool differs from earlier "gadgets" in combining imagery from NOAA on the current extent of oil as well as forecasts of where the oil is likely to go within the next 72 hours. This is a much larger display that allows you to quickly access more information. This is updated roughly every 24 hours.

How you can help:

• Visit Gulf Coast beaches or marshes
• Record all the birds you see (count/estimate numbers of each species)
  
• Submit your observations to eBird

Recording Your Field Observations

The goal is to complete as many eBird surveys along the Gulf Coast as possible over the coming weeks and months, with a special focus on immediate coverage. We’re not directing birders to survey specific areas, rather we’re casting a broader net by simply asking birders to survey their discrete stretches of coastal beaches and marshes from the Texas through Florida. Consider surveying a more ‘off the beaten path’ area that may not be well represented.
      How do you record your observations? Keep a list of all the species that you observe, and make an estimate of the numbers of each. It’s important to understand that surveying smaller stretches of beach is better, because the increased resolution will help scientists pinpoint the birds you find on a map. We ask that birders keep their checklists limited to a 5-mile stretch of beach, with the understanding that finer scale is always better. Birders are asked to record their birding effort by using one of the following choices during checklist submission: traveling count—a count of birds made while moving over a given distance (great for a beach walk); or stationary count—a count of birds made while standing in one place (great for shorebird roosts). It is important to record your location as accurately as possible, and to plot your point at the mid-point of your traveling survey.  So if you covered one mile on foot, plot your location in the mid-point (.5 mile) on the map.
      It’s important to record all the species you observe, and answer ‘yes’ to the question “Are you submitting a complete checklist of the birds you saw/heard to the best of your ability?”  By submitting complete checklists you’re providing a snapshot of the overall avifauna of the area sampled, and helping generate baseline data for all species in the region (don’t forget to scan offshore for pelicans, gulls and terns!). 
      Record your observations in the field and make sure to include date, location, species and numbers.  Also record the time you began each survey and how long you were birding, as well as other variables like how far you traveled and how many people were birding with you.  Once you’ve collected your data, visit eBird (www.ebird.org) to submit your observations.

Also record the number of birds that appear oiled and sick by answering yes to the question "Would you like to provide comments or more details about a species (e.g., if a bird is oiled, age/sex, etc.)".

Please keep in mind that some of these areas may be closed to protect wildlife. Please follow the guidelines and laws of all local, state, and federal agencies, who are working to patrol, protect and monitor many of these areas.

To report oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401 and leave a message. Messages will be checked hourly. If you’re interested in volunteering with Audubon, click here.

Thanks for taking part in this effort!

Team eBird

To make a donation to help support eBird click  here.