The objective:  Count of the number and distribution of breeding shorebirds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.  We will systematically cover all of the wetland units and determine the magnitude by species and location. 

Date: June 2-3 – You can arrive the night before or even come down for the day

Requirements: We are looking for birders who can count and identify the breeding species found on the Wildlife Area (killdeer, snowy plover, long-billed curlew, willet, Am. avocet, black-necked stilt, spotted sandpiper, Wilson’s phalarope and Wilson’s snipe).  The numerical count by location or area is most important.

Accommodation: The small bunkhouse will be available, and in the past surveyors have set tents up on the Headquarters Lawn.  The bunkhouse has cooking facilities, bathrooms and shower.  There are also a couple of camp trailers if inclement weather sets-in.   

Dogs are not allowed.  This is the peak of nesting season and the presence of dogs would be very disturbing to breeding birds.  Even the most well behaved and best of controlled dogs could cause problems with eggs and/or chicks.

Registration: Please contact Steve Dougill to sign up.  If you are an inexperienced birder, you will be able to accompany more experienced people and learn the birds.

The birds: Apart from the shorebirds this is the prime season to see Summer Lake.  There are lots of Bitterns, Cranes, Egrets, Night herons, White Pelicans and Terns.  It is a fantastic area to bird.  There is plently of time to explore the immediate area for desert birds and Winter Ridge for Forest birds.  We have found some unusual birds in the past couple of years: Great tailed Grackle, Franklin's Gull, Wandering Tattler, Whimbrel, and Black Rail