For interactive map of latest Eastside Audubon Climate Watch survey go to our dashboard
Background
In 2019, National Audubon Society released Survival By Degrees, a report of how various species of birds would respond to climate change. In total, 389 bird species distribution was modeled. Many birds lost preferred habitat, with some facing extinction.
Climate Watch, which was launched in 2016 by National Audubon, is a large-scale community science project where participants survey pre-defined points for birds on the target list twice a year, once in the Winter and again in the Summer. The goal: to test climate models by tracking presence and abundance in areas where birds would normally occur. More information about the program and protocol can be found here.
Eastside Audubon and Climate Watch
Since the Summer of 2019, Eastside Audubon has been a participant of Climate Watch. Our current target birds from the Climate Watch study are the Red-breasted Nuthatch and the Spotted Towhee. We started by surveying Saint Edward Park, on the shores of Lake Washington, in the Summer of 2019. In the Summer of 2020, we added Clyde Hill, a residential area close to downtown Bellevue. In the Winter of 2021, Tradition Lake, in the western part of Tiger Mountain State Forest, was added as our 3rd survey area. The Summer of 2021 we added our 4th survey area, Rattlesnake Lake.
Current Results
For total counts of birds by season and by area, see charts below. We currently only have small sample sizes due to our involvement starting in 2019. The graphs will be continuously updated after each survey.
Please view our interactive map for the latest survey count. Note that you can zoom in or out to change the number of birds spotted. You can also click on any of the points to view all counts at that location.
