Coastal Birds in South Carolina - Research & Resources

International Shorebird Surveys

To help understand shorebird populations, SCDNR participates in International Shorebird Surveys (ISS) organized by Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences. These surveys were developed to collect information on shorebirds during migration. Surveys also aid in identifying important staging areas, monitoring population trends, determining migration routes, and in the timing of different species migration.

Surveys involve identifying and counting all shorebirds at a fixed location, or along a predetermined route. Surveys are conducted at least once a month. The gathered data is entered into the ISS Ebird Site.

• ISS Spring 2014 newsletter (PDF)

Among other uses, this data provides information on shorebird migration times and document major shorebird staging areas.