The Portland Area Watershed Monitoring and Assessment Program (PAWMAP) evaluates water quality, watershed conditions, habitats and wildlife. Since 2010, Environmental Services has used this citywide monitoring to evaluate and protect our watersheds and to meet state and federal requirements and city goals. In recent months, bureau biologists have been surveying Portland’s bird population as part of this effort. These surveys are called point counts. A biologist identifies and tallies all birds seen and heard over an eight minute period, creating a bird census. Birds are valuable ecosystem indicators and contribute to a holistic assessment of watershed health.

The biologists are also keeping tabs on bird nests in Environmental Services construction project areas. These nests are protected and monitored to ensure that our construction activities cause no harm and support urban wildlife.  

Here are some great photos from the field surveyors.