The Whidbey Guillemot Survey is an all-volunteer organization with two coordinators, about 30 trained data collectors and, when funding is available, a part-time intern who all share the desire to learn more about and educate others about Pigeon Guillemots. We are available to give presentations on Puget Sound Guillemots.

Co-coordinators:

Frances Wood
Naturalist and writer, Frances Wood, M.A., www.franceswood.net has been coordinating the Whidbey Guillemot Survey from its beginning in 2002. A chapter in her book Brushed by Feathers: A Year of Birdwatching in the West (Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, CO, 2004) describes her first observations of the Whidbey guillemot colonies and how she fell in love with these playful seabirds, which she continues to study, observe and write about. Frances has co-authored a children’s picture book on guillemots and has served as president of the Whidbey Audubon Society.

Phyllis Kind
Prof. Emerita of Microbiology and Immunology and of Genetics at George Washington University Phyllis Kind, Ph. D., has directed or co-directed about 40 Ph.D. dissertations and will supervise the academic aspects of the intern’s work. Phyllis serves on the Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) and is president of the Northwest Straits Commission.

Trained volunteers
Approximately 30 trained volunteers serve as data collectors. These volunteers commit to visiting their assigned colonies at least once every two weeks during late May, June, July and August. They submit reports and, when needed, act as stewards to the colonies.