This summer, the Beach Bird Stewards, lead by Marlene Eader are out once again educating visitors and monitoring the birds nesting on the sand. To add to this exciting and busy time on the beach, we also welcome Maria Logan and Sharna Tolfree as our seasonal coastal staff this summer. While birds are back and nesting on our coasts, Maria and Sharna will join Walker Golder, Lindsay Addison and Tara McIver in monitoring, conducting research and protecting our incredible array of shorebirds.

You've gotten to know our beach-nesting birds. Now we'll introduce you to the team that will protect and study them during this field season.

Maria Logan, Biological Technician

Maria has returned for her fourth season monitoring Audubon's islands in Ocracoke Inlet. She is responsible for monitoring oystercatchers nesting on Beacon, Shell Castle, and North Rock Islands. Also this year she is assisting NCWRC staff with the colonial waterbird census.

Marlene Eader, Volunteer Coordinator

Marlene volunteered with Audubon for three years before becoming the volunteer coordinator for Wrightsville Beach in 2013. She organizes, trains, and supports over 50 volunteer bird stewards who educate the public about beach-nesting birds. She also assists with other fieldwork.

Sharna Tolfree, Biological Technician

Sharna had previously worked for Audubon in Nicaragua, and now she's switched from migratory songbirds to monitoring beach-nesting birds and sea turtles on Lea-Hutaff Island. In addition to tracking nest success, she posts nesting areas, cages sea turtle nests to protect them from raccoons, conducts shorebird surveys, and assists with other work such as the colonial waterbird census.

We hope you enjoy the sand, surf and beach nesting birds this summer. And if you spot an Audubon hat or a pair of binoculars, come by and say hello!