Western Snowy Plover Monitoring

Western snowy plover in sandy dune habitat

NPS / Jessica Weinberg McClosky

Western snowy plovers are small shorebirds that live and breed on the sandy beaches and dunes of the Pacific coast. Listed as a federally threatened species since 1993, their numbers are in decline because of habitat loss and degradation. Human use of their beach habitat and the resulting increase in predators and nonnative species threaten the survival of this species.

Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area Network actively protect plover nest sites and restore habitat. The snowy plover recovery program uses volunteers and educational materials to reach thousands of visitors each year. During breeding season, park docents monitor and keep beachgoers away from nesting sites. Parks are also working to restore coastal dune habitat by removing nonnative plants, providing expanded nesting and breeding habitat.

Parks Monitored

Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Point Reyes National Seashore

Monitoring Documents

Protocol Documents

Source: Data Store Saved Search 1812. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Monitoring/Trend Reports

Source: Data Store Saved Search 1847. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

Resource Briefs

Source: Data Store Saved Search 1840. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

For More Information

Bay Area Science and Nature Blog
Snowy Plovers at Point Reyes National Seashore

Contact

Bill Merkle or Dave Press

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