[SEMCO] Seeking volunteers to assist seabird research: Oct. 25 meeting

[Robert Golder]

Lloyd Center Seeks Volunteers to Assist Seabird Research

    SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA ‹ The Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies and the
Tufts University Center for Conservation Medicine are seeking volunteers for
a collaborative research program. Both organizations want to learn more
about seabird mortality along the New England Coast. The April 27, 2003 oil
spill in Buzzards Bay, which killed hundreds of seabirds, is only one
dramatic example of the risks that seabirds face.
    Last year, the Lloyd Center and Tufts University co-founded the Seabird
Ecological Assessment Network (SEANET). Volunteer surveys of area beaches
will provide baseline information about causes of seabird mortality, from
oil spills to disease.
    Volunteers who are willing to walk up to one mile of beach are needed to
collect field data from 75 miles of shoreline in the towns of Westport,
Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, and Wareham. The
data will be collected at least once every month on the volunteer¹s assigned
beach, preferably during the same week each month.
    A three hour training and information session will be held at the Lloyd
Center for Environmental Studies, 430 Potomska Road, South Dartmouth, MA
02748, on Saturday, October 25, 2003, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A map and
directions to the Lloyd Center may be found at www.thelloydcenter.org.
Anyone willing to make a one-year commitment by working as a SEANET
volunteer is strongly encouraged to attend.
    The volunteer training session will cover the various field equipment,
field survey work, tips on what to look for, how to use the datasheets, and
assignment of beaches. Field observations will include bird species
identification and measurement, cause of death, location, and possible
collection for necropsy. Although basic bird identification skills are
helpful, they are not required.
    Seabirds are especially sensitive to petroleum and other pollution,
because the physical properties of oil degrade the insulating and
waterproofing properties of feathers. Ingestion or inhalation of oil can
also poison birds. Because of the large amount of shipping traffic offshore,
the SEANET partners are interested in exploring the great risk to seabirds
from both large spill events and small-scale discharge of waste from boats
or other sources.
    Those interested in volunteering for SEANET, or who need more
information, may phone Mr. Jamie Bogart at (508) 990-0505 x23, or email Mr.
Bogart at plover at thelloydcenter.org. If you plan to attend the training
session, please contact Mr. Bogart to register, free of charge. Those who
wish to help, but who cannot attend the meeting, should also contact Mr.
Bogart.

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Robert Jon Golder     robertgolder at comcast.net
Director, Communications & Outreach Programs
The Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies
430 Potomska Road
South Dartmouth, MA 02748
508-990-0505 ext. 13
www.thelloydcenter.org