Pronatura Noroeste is conducting the marshbird surveys in the Cienega de Santa Clara with the overall objective of detecting changes in population trends and distribution of secretive marsh birds, inckuding the Yuma Clapper Rail, California Black Rail, Virginia Rail, and Least Bittern. Pronatura is implementing three  surveys as described in the Standardized North America Marsh birds monitoring protocols.

First survey: early breeding season (March 20 - April 10)