Become a Member

Western Snowy Plover and Least Tern Research

Quick Links:
How To Become a Volunteer • Read About a Snowy Plover Rescue • 2023-2026 Strategic Plan
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The Western Snowy Plover is a threatened shorebird that breeds along the west coast of the U.S. Because of this status, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has set goals to restore plover numbers throughout the region. In addition, the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, a 50-year effort to return half of the Bay's salt ponds back to tidal marsh, has also established goals to increase plover numbers in the Bay Area. ​Since 2003, SFBBO has worked with both of these efforts to study and conserve local plovers. We recently expanded our work beyond the San Francisco Bay to monitor plovers in Monterey. Check out a video about our spring 2020 plover work.
We survey salt ponds to locate breeding habitat and monitor plovers to determine nest and fledging success. Each spring our biologists band plover chicks to track their movements and survival, and use remote trail cameras to identify predators such as corvids, gulls, and foxes. In addition, a few community scientists help us conduct winter surveys so we know how plovers use the Bay outside the breeding season, and we enhance plover habitat. 
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​The California Least Tern is an endangered species that breeds along the California Coast in sparsely vegetated and flat areas located next to the Pacific Ocean. Although their natural habitat is sandy beaches and lagoons, in the San Francisco Bay they have adapted to breed in former salt production ponds, which provide the habitat features California Least Terns need to breed. SFBBO first began working with California Least Terns between 2007-2009, and again in 2017 when they were attracted to habitat enhanced for Snowy Plovers with oyster shells. We also enlist the help of community science volunteers to monitor Least Terns in the area during the breeding season.
In addition, we removed posts and other objects that predators like to perch on as well as vegetation that was encroaching on nesting habitat. We also spread oyster shells on the pond bottoms that camouflage plovers during the breeding season, and during the late winter we hold a Mud Stomp when volunteers stomp in the mud to create depressions and texture that allow plovers to blend in better with their surroundings. 

​Although historically the Bay Area likely only supported a small Snowy Plover Population and few (if any) Least Terns, today the South Bay salt ponds support nearly 10% of the rangewide Snowy Plover population, and one of only six Least Tern colonies in the San Francisco Bay Area. These two sensitive species face substantial threats across the Pacific Coast—habitat loss, predation, human disturbance, and imminent sea level rise—making the South Bay a critical habitat for these sensitive birds.​
Have you spotted a banded Western Snowy Plover?
You can send photos of banded Snowy Plovers and report your sighting to [email protected]. Please include the location, date, number of plovers observed, and number of plovers checked for bands. 

​Your message will go to all Snowy Plover banders across the Pacific Coast, and someone will respond within a few days to let you know the history of the observed bird!
Through our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan we aim to expand the use of our data and research, and engage with other scientific communities and resource-management agencies, to address climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental issues. We hope you will join our community of scientists, resource managers, and environmental organizations by using our data and analysis to better understand how birds are doing and find ways to promote sustainability in your community.
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Jump to the following sections below: Impact of Our Work, View Our Data, Western Snowy Plovers and Least Terns in the Media, Get Involved, and Thanks to Our Supporters.  

Impact of Our Work

Share Data Nationally and Regionally - We share our research results with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Collaborate Regionally - We are part of a region-wide effort - Recovery Unit 3 working group that works together to survey Snowy Plovers in our region. 

Present Our Research - In addition to presenting our data at annual plover recovery conferences, we give presentations at universities and to other groups, such as the Audubon Society. 

Inform Local Conservation Efforts - We share our data and partner with others in the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, a 50-year project to restore tidal marsh and manage salt ponds that ring the Bay. 
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Photo by Don Dvorak

View Our Protocols, Data, and Findings

Click on the links below to view our data and reports. For information about our plover and tern research research or to discuss collaborations involving our data, please contact Science Director Maddy Schwarz at [email protected].

Videos
Data and Reports

Plovers and Terns in the Media

Click on the links below to read the latest news about our Plover and Tern Research and Recover Work

Get Involved

Volunteer - Assist with plover or tern habitat restoration by becoming a volunteer. 

Donate - Make a positive impact for birds and habitats by giving generously to SFBBO. Every donation we receive is wisely invested in our mission.

Report - If you spot a plover with bands on its legs, please report the band colors, location, and date to Science Director Maddy Schwarz at [email protected]. 

Learn - If you would like to schedule a science talk, bird walk, or kids activity focused on plovers or terns, please contact [email protected].

Share - Share our story by covering our work in your publication. Please contact Outreach and Communications Director Kristin Butler at [email protected] to learn more. 

Thanks to Our Supporters and Volunteers

Thanks to the individuals volunteers and groups for donating their time to help us survey plover populations, enter data into our databases, and enhance plover and tern habitats. 

Thanks to our partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Eden Landing Ecological Reserve for managing the lands our plovers and terns live on, and the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

​This work is funded by the Alameda County Fish and Game Commission, California Coastal Commission, California Environmental Law Project, California Wildlife Foundation/California Coastal Conservancy, Cargill, Facebook, Santa Clara County Fish and Game Commission, Sierra Foothills Audubon Society, Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and our SFBBO donors. 
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory ● 524 Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035 ● 408-946-6548 ● [email protected]