Ten Refuge volunteers played a key role in completing the required data collection that would make this portion of the project a success. Volunteers contributed over 320 hours to the study with: 19 days of mist netting and banding; 14 days of ground telemetry; and 2 days of invertebrate and mud sample collection. Project partners conducted 12 days of aerial telemetry surveys.

This research will contribute information leading to a greater understanding of migration strategies used by western sandpipers in the Pacific Flyway. Specific information on western sandpiper use of Grays Harbor estuary as a stopover and foraging site will enhance natural resource land managers' ability to conserve and protect shorebird habitats in the Pacific Flyway.