By Dan Aceto

Staff Writer

Once a month, Nancy Schwarzel walks along the coast of Ferry Beach in Scarborough. Although she enjoys the scenery as much as anyone else, she is not just out for a leisurely morning stroll – she’s helping collect data on seabirds.

Schwarzel, a Scarborough resident, is a volunteer for the Seabird Ecological Assessment Network (SEANET), a citizen science program founded in 2002 by the Tufts Center of Medicine, that brings together inter-disciplinary researchers and citizen scientists in a long term collaborative effort to identify and mitigate threats to marine birds. Schwarzel, who has helped collect data year round since 2004, is one of many volunteers throughout the state who walk approximately 1 kilometer each month along a designated stretch of beach and record information about bird mortality. 

According to the SEANET website, the goal of the program is to help establish baseline data that can be used to detect mass mortality events, such as oil spills, algal toxins and disease outbreaks.

Schwarzel said she has a simple routine she follows when she collects data.

“One of the first things I like to do is note the time, weather and wind. Then I begin my walk and observe the ‘rack,’” Schwarzel said. 

The rack, or beached deposit of debris that collects along the shoreline, consists mostly of seaweed. However, Schwarzel must record and collect any foreign objects she sees as well.

During a walk Tuesday at Ferry Beach, Schwarzel noted several pieces of rope and a tennis ball entangled in the seaweed.

“You see a lot more debris wash ashore in the winter time because there is less maintenance on the beach,” said Schwarzel, who does the walk once a month year round.

Schwarzel said her primary job is to take photos and measure the size of any dead marine birds she may comes across, although this year she has not encountered a single one.

After her walk, Schwarzel goes online and inputs her findings on the SEANET database.

“It’s really, really, simple. If I can do it, anyone can do it,” she said.

Although there are hundreds of SEANET volunteers throughout New England, Linda Woodard, director of the Scarborough Audubon Society, said there are plenty of opportunities for Maine residents to become part of the network. 

“There are many beaches in Maine that are still not covered, including Old Orchard [Beach] and the Kennebunk area, among others,” Woodard said.

“In light of events such as the Gulf oil spill, it is important to establish this kind of baseline data. The program has also helped identify diseases that have affected certain species of birds as well,” Woodard said.

On Oct. 21 Woodard will host a free informational and training session at the University of New England for anyone interested in learning more about the program. Woodard has contacted Margaret Frasier, a professor of ornithology at the school, to raise awareness among students who may be interested in helping out as well.
Frasier said the experience will be a good way for students to gain valuable field experience and learn more about local birds.

“I think it’s great that local people are taking responsibility for their beaches and conducting this kind of research,” Frasier said.

Schwarzel said she enjoys the experience because she’s able to both exercise and contribute information toward scientific research.

“It’s a win, win situation. It’s walking with a purpose,” she said

To learn more about SEANET, visit its website at seanetters.wordpress.com

Staff Writer Dan Aceto can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237.