Western Snowy Plover Research

The Western Snowy Plover is a shorebird that breeds along the west coast of the U.S. It is federally listed as threatened, which means the number of plovers is too small for the species to survive without human help. 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 conserve plovers in the Bay Area. ​

Oyster shells ready for dispersal to help camouflage Snowy Plovers that nest at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (photo by Karine Tokatlian).

Plovers nest on the dry former salt evaporation ponds in the South Bay, and many nests are lost each year to predators. By improving their breeding habitat on the South Bay Salt Ponds, we’re hoping to reverse that trend. Through this work, we removed many of the posts throughout the ponds that served as perches for predators and removed vegetation that was encroaching on nesting habitat.

​We also spread oyster shells on the pond bottoms in experimental plots. The soil on many of the salt ponds is very dark brown or red, which may make light colored Snowy Plovers adults and nests stand out for predators. By adding other white objects, like oyster shells, to the pond bottoms, we aimed to provide camouflage for plovers and their nests, as well as provide cover for plover chicks to hide near. Drakes Bay Family Farm donated tons of oyster shells to the project.

In addition, winter we hold a Plover Stomp when volunteers stomp in the mud to create depressions on the muddy salt pond bottom. This creates texture in the ground that camouflages plovers during the breeding season. To learn about volunteer opportunities, including our docent program, please visit our Volunteer section.