The presence of birds on shellfish farms has drawn increasing attention due to perceived potential fecal contamination. We evaluate the potential risk of bacterial contamination at two surface culture oyster farms in Willapa Bay, WA, through seasonal observation of migratory and resident birds perching on the floating gear, and enumeration of fecal coliform in water within the floating culture arrays. Visual and remote camera observations (Figure 1) estimated bird presence during seasonal migrations in spring through late fall 2024. When birds were present on the surface gear, water samples were collected from at least three locations within the culture arrays. Additional reference samples were collected 100 m away from the arrays, upstream of tidal flow. Collections followed standard protocols for shellfish growing waters and were transferred to an accredited lab within 24 hours. Fecal coliform analysis was performed by Am Test Laboratories in Kirkland, WA, using standard method 9222D. Results to date demonstrate that both aquaculture sites meet shellfish water quality standards, as specified by the National Shellfish Sanitation Plan (NSSP) Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish. Excluding reference samples, the median most probable number (MPN) during bird presence was 3 MPN (4 samples >43) at one farm site, and 2 MPN (never >43) at the second site. Therefore, both sites did not exceed the fecal coliform standard (median >14 MPN per 100ml, and ≤10% samples >43 MPN per 100ml) when sampling targeted periods of substantial bird presence on surface culture oyster farms. These results suggest that fecal coliform contamination from birds on surface gear is not a significant risk at these sites.