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The Winter Survey

2025 Winter Shorebird Survey

2025 is the 17th annual Florida Winter Shorebird Survey (a.k.a. The First Friday in February Survey)!  We are enthused to invite you to participate in the mid-winter survey that serves as a statewide snapshot of shorebirds and seabirds across the state. 

The primary objective of the Winter Shorebird Survey is to better understand the winter distribution of shorebirds and seabirds in Florida. This annual survey will allow us to recognize long-term trends or changes in winter population sizes and distribution. It will also help us identify key wintering sites- information that is much needed to guide future conservation efforts, particularly for state or federally listed focal species.

If you plan to participate in this year’s survey, please review the 2025 Protocol, review the list of routes, sign up for an existing route, or add a new route to the Route Survey List. Adding your name to the 2025 column for your route means you're officially signed up!

After the survey is complete, please submit your data by March 1st into the Google Sheet. Please contact the Regional Coordinator in the protocol if you have questions about a route or the survey.

Here are some key things to remember as you prepare for the survey:  

  • Survey dates, February 7th – 13th (first Friday in February)
  • You must report all GPS locations in Decimal Degrees
  • You can sign up for or add a survey route without contacting a coordinator
  • You have the option to survey only focal species
  • GPS locations for flocks >50 non-focal species are optional (and encouraged), rather than required

As partners in shorebird conservation, we sincerely appreciate your dedication to the birds and your health and safety are top priorities. If you participate in the Winter Shorebird Survey, visit www.myFWC.com/AvianInfluenza for updated information about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

If you have questions or concerns, please email shorebird@myfwc.com. We look forward to participating alongside you in this fun winter survey.  Thank you for contributing your vital data. 

Happy Counting!

FSA Winter Shorebird Survey Coordination Crew