The first long-term study of Fisherman Bay seabirds and shorebirds is finding an unexpected diversity of species, while raising concerns about the quality and variety of food in the bay for fish-eating birds such as auklets and ospreys.

Lopez student Kelley Palmer-McCarty, a senior at Western Washington University, designed the study and trained local volunteers as part of the Fisherman Bay Marine Health Observatory, a partnership of Kwiáht and WSU Beach Watchers. Kwiáht wildlife biologists Charlie Behnke and Amanda Wedow are coordinating local volunteers while Palmer-McCarty completes her degree.

The study compares the emergent salt marsh and mud flats at the south end of the bay with Weeks Wetland, the relatively intact salt marsh on the inside of the Spit, the open water in the middle of the bay, and nearby beaches on San Juan Channel.

Hundreds of hours of careful observation are needed to learn how much time each species spends in different habitats, where they rest or seek food, and what kinds of food they actually find from week to week through the season.

By counting birds and recording their behavior several times each month, researchers will be able to determine if seabirds are increasing or declining, and whether efforts to restore the bay, protect shorelines and manage runoff result in benefits to bird populations.

Over the summer alone, the study team has identified 47 species of birds foraging and resting in Fisherman Bay. More species arrived this fall. Birds seen include a wide variety of ducks and geese including teals, wigeons, pintails, and mergansers, as well as diving birds like horned and red-necked grebes, rhinoceros auklets, common murres, and a federally-listed endangered species; the marbled murrelet.

Diving birds were more often seen just outside the bay, rather than within it; a pattern that probably reflects the distribution of fish.

In 2010, seabirds were seen feeding on shinier perch, sculpins and other small fish. Kwiáht director Russel Barsh believes that seabirds would benefit from an increase in the variety and abundance of “bait fish” in the bay.

Conditions have changed since the 1920s when geologist Roy McLellan found the bay filled with eelgrass—and about 10 feet deeper than it is today. Eelgrass cover today is less than 5 percent.

Palmer-McCarty’s preliminary report, birding schedules, and seabird photos by volunteer Peter Cavanagh can be found at www.fishermanbayproject.org. You can send an email to fishermanbay@me.com to learn more or to volunteer. A special public event on April 2 will include field trips around Fisherman Bay for adults and children to share the experience of watching the island’s diverse seabirds and shorebirds.

For further information contact: Russel Barsh, RLBarsh@gmail.com, Kelley Palmer-McCarty, vaktel@gmail.com