Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) Population Analysis Along the Gulf-Coast
In this project, my focus is on analyzing the Black Skimmer population trends along the expansive Gulf Coast of the United States, stretching from Texas to Florida. Utilizing data collected between 2010 and 2023, my primary objective is to uncover and understand any dynamic shifts in the distribution and abundance of these bird populations over this extended timeframe. To accomplish this, I will merge two distinct datasets: the first comprises submitted checklists gleaned from the comprehensive Cornell University Ebird database, while the second stems from species counts obtained through aerial surveys of the Gulf Coast barrier islands—a collaborative endeavor funded by Deepwater Horizon Regionwide and Louisiana Trustee Implementation Groups. Colibri Ecological Consulting led the survey and species identification work. Lastly, The Water Institute brought it all together in a public database and dashboard. This integration of datasets will yield a more holistic comprehension of avian populations along the US Gulf Coast than either dataset could provide.
Two fundamental reasons underpin the choice of the Black Skimmer. Firstly, my personal fascination with this species has led me to spend numerous early morning hours observing these birds gracefully skimming across the water's surface to capture fish. Secondly, and more importantly, the Black Skimmer's precarious situation warrants attention; its nesting habitat, comprising coastal sandy or gravelly bars, faces substantial pollution and coastal erosion threats.
Below is a short presentation on the data. It covers my methods, my observations, and further questions that were raised. For a full in-depth look at the project and the code please visit my Github Repository. matt-birdnerd/black-skimmer-project (github.com)
