2017 Statewide Survey April 7-9

The 2017 Tricolored Blackbird Statewide Survey will be conducted over three days - April 7th through the 9th, 2017. In case of severe weather, the Survey will occur over the weekend of April 21st through the 23rd. This year's statewide survey is especially important due to the recent steep decline in abundance of the species and because the results of this year's survey will help the Department of Fish and Wildlife to assess the bird's status and may play a large role in justifying the Department's recommendation to the Fish and Game Commission on whether to list the species under the California Endangered Species Act.

This year's survey is being coordinated by Dr. Bob Meese, U.C. Davis. As with the 3 prior statewide surveys, the 2017 statewide survey utilizes local experts who serve as county coordinators to assemble survey teams, to ensure coverage, and to enter records of observations when the survey is complete.

We are currently pairing volunteer participants with county coordinators to survey both historical colony locations as well as to survey in appropriate regions and habitats for new, previously undocumented colony locations and to estimate the numbers of birds at occupied sites. No prior experience is necessary and any level of commitment, big or small, is welcome to help to make this year's survey as complete as possible.