Tracking Elusive Marsh Birds of Puget Sound – Cynthia Easterson

Come join us for an evening of enjoyment with Cindy Easterson. Cindy Easterson has served on the Board of Puget Sound Bird Observatory since 2010, and is currently filling the roles of Secretary and Treasurer.  She is a member of the Pilchuck Audubon chapter.

She is an advocate for engaging citizen scientists in projects to support the documentation and assessment of local bird populations and wildlife habitat. Cindy currently manages Puget Sound Bird Observatory’s (PSBO) Wintering Fox Sparrow Habitat Study and co-manages the Secretive Wetland Bird Monitoring project. Her experience includes conducting Breeding Bird Surveys, participation in Washington Audubon’s Sagebrush Songbird Survey project, monitoring and support for Vaux’s Swifts, Shorebird surveys for the Puget Sound Shorebird Count, and serving as an area lead for Pilchuck Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count.

She has supported bird banding efforts with PSBO’s Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) station at Morse Reserve and provided training assistance and skill development at workshops for bird identification, bander training and a variety of bird survey methods. Cindy has a passion for birds and finds gratification in studying their behaviors, habits and needs. In addition, she takes great delight in sharing her interest with others and mentoring citizen scientists.

Cindy holds an integrated Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree with a focus on Wetland Science from the University of Washington. She has received HAZWOPER training for Oiled Wildlife Care and completed Washington State Department of Ecology training for Wetland Rating Systems and for Grass, Sedge and Rush Identification for Western WA Puget Lowland Habitats.

For this presentation, Cindy will describe findings of the Wetland Bird project and share the challenges of monitoring these elusive species.

Arrive at 7 p.m. to socialize; programs begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.