State data reveals Puget Sound's pigeon guillemot population dropped to 6,430 in 2020, the lowest density recorded in two decades, according to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Pigeon Guillemot Survey. Pigeon guillemots serve as key indicator species for Salish Sea health due to their proximity to shorelines and position in the food chain. The birds forage for small fish and crustaceans within 100 feet of shore and are vulnerable to oil spills, fishing activities, and human development. Citizen science opportunities allow community members to participate in monitoring efforts, though the source does not specify upcoming conservation actions or timeline for population recovery.
Pigeon guillemot population drops to 6,430 in Puget Sound
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📄 Source: Cascadia Daily News — https://www.cascadiadaily.com/
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- ✓State data reveals Puget Sound's pigeon guillemot population dropped to 6,430 in 2020“In 2020, data collected by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Pigeon Guillemot Survey estimated the Puget Sound pigeon guillemot population was roughly 6,430, one of the lowest densities for the species population in 20 years.”
- ✓The lowest density recorded in two decades was noted in 2020“In 2020, data collected by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Pigeon Guillemot Survey estimated the Puget Sound pigeon guillemot population was roughly 6,430, one of the lowest densities for the species population in 20 years.”
- ✓The data comes from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Pigeon Guillemot Survey“In 2020, data collected by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Pigeon Guillemot Survey estimated the Puget Sound pigeon guillemot population was roughly 6,430, one of the lowest densities for the species population in 20 years.”
- ✓Pigeon guillemots serve as key indicator species for Salish Sea health“Pigeon guillemots stay close to the shore, dive no more than 100 feet, and forage for small fish and crustaceans. They are near the top of our ecosystem's food chain, making them a great indicator species for the health of our waterways.”
- ✓Pigeon guillemots are proximate to shorelines“Pigeon guillemots stay close to the shore, dive no more than 100 feet, and forage for small fish and crustaceans.”
- ⚠Pigeon guillemots are positioned in the food chainNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ✓The birds forage for small fish and crustaceans within 100 feet of shore“Pigeon guillemots stay close to the shore, dive no more than 100 feet, and forage for small fish and crustaceans.”
- ✓Pigeon guillemots are vulnerable to oil spills“Pigeon guillemots are susceptible to oil spills, fishing and human development.”
- ✓Pigeon guillemots are vulnerable to fishing activities“Pigeon guillemots are susceptible to oil spills, fishing and human development.”
- ✓Pigeon guillemots are vulnerable to human development“Pigeon guillemots are susceptible to oil spills, fishing and human development.”
- ⚠Citizen science opportunities allow community members to participate in monitoring effortsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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