DWH NRDA Shorebird Oiling Observations

The main objectives of Deepwater Horizon Bird Study #5 included (1) estimating the temporal and spatial abundance and distribution of shorebirds using the study area from inception of the study through November 2010; (2) estimating the percentage of shorebirds that are visibly-oiled at representative sites throughout the study area; (3a) estimating survival rates for American Oystercatcher (AMOY) and other shorebirds ; and (3b) monitoring return rates of color-marked Snowy Plover, Red Knot, American Oystercatcher, and Piping Plover, collected opportunistically as part of Objective 2 . This dataset includes information collected pursuant to objective 2. Oiling rate surveys occurred from September to December of 2010, and were conducted primarily by Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences personnel under the direction of the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Three surveys were conducted concurrently to document the oiling and abundance of non-breeding shorebirds, such as plovers and sandpipers, and to record all banded snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus), red knots (Calidris canutus), American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus), and piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) encountered at survey sites along the northern Gulf of Mexico. GPS location and photo data were also collected during these surveys.