Winter is an exciting time to grab a pair of binoculars and scan the coastline of Salem Sound in search of birds. Many ducks and other waterfowl migrate south from their Arctic breeding grounds to spend the winter feeding on the rich fish and invertebrate life beneath the Sound’s waters. In this talk, we will explore the bird species that make Salem Sound and the surrounding area their home during what is often our harshest season. We will also highlight results from Salem Sound Coastwatch’s winter waterfowl survey, a long-running volunteer-based monitoring effort that began in the 1990s to track wintering waterbird populations in Salem Sound. Tracking long-term trends in winter waterfowl diversity and abundance helps provide insight into the overall health of Salem Sound’s coastal ecosystem. The presentation will discuss how the survey helps fill gaps left by other regional bird counts, how data are used to examine long-term trends, and how community members can participate.
Registration is required. Attendance to join in person is limited to 50 attendants, or attend online via Zoom. Please register to join in person or via Zoom at tinyurl.com/Salem-Sound-Birding. If registering for Zoom, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting online.
Robert Buchsbaum recently retired after a 32-year career as a Coastal Ecologist with Mass Audubon. Buchsbaum received a bachelor’s of science from Cornell University, majoring in Natural Resources, and a doctorate studying geese on salt marshes from the Boston University Marine Program. At Mass Audubon, he coordinated a statewide bird monitoring program on sanctuaries and conducted extensive avian studies on salt marshes.
Anna Sheridan is the Project Specialist and Greenscapes Coordinator at Salem Sound Coastwatch, where she supports stormwater management outreach and education efforts across the North Shore. She leads Salem Sound Coastwatch’s winter waterfowl survey, a volunteer-based monitoring program. Sheridan received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Albright College and previously worked with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as a Shorebird Conservationist.
For the past fourteen years, Underwater in Salem Sound has been jointly sponsored by Salem Sound Coastwatch and Abbot Public Library. All the lectures are free and open to the public. Upcoming lectures will be on March 18 and April 15. For more information, please visit www.salemsound.org.
Photo Courtesy of Salem Sound Coastwatch
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