Black Oystercatcher Monitoring Project

The Black Oystercatcher Monitoring Project is a community science program that takes place from May through September.

The Black Oystercatcher (BLOY) is an important indicator species for the rocky shore habitat. By studying the health and reproductive success of Black Oystercatcher mated pairs, we can understand the health of the ecosystem BLOYs are within.

Volunteers monitor sites along the coast, taking note of behaviors, eggs laid, chicks hatched, and fledglings that make it to adulthood. They also note disturbances that affect the BLOYs, like people disturbing the BLOY’s territory, off-leash dogs, drones, or natural predators.

The BLOY Monitoring Project is a partnership between the Pacific Grove Museum, the California Coastal National Monument (CCNM), Audubon California, CA State Parks, and the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife.

We are recruiting for BLOY Volunteers! 2024 training dates have been set. This training will happen via Zoom. To register, email our Volunteer Coordinator, who will send you the Zoom link. Pick either date: you do not need to attend both.