
News

First Set of New Signs Installed at Lengueta Arenosa Beaches
As a follow-up to the Punta Banda Conservation Alliance’s meeting with Councilwoman Daniella Salgado on April 12, PROFEPA installed the first set of four new signs prohibiting ATVs and other disturbances along Lengueta Arenosa on April 17, 2025.

Meeting with Councilwoman Daniela Salgado regarding ATV traffic on Lengüeta Arenosa (“The Spit”)
The steering committee of the Punta Banda Conservation Alliance has been meeting regularly to address conservation challenges related to All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) traffic on the beaches of Lengueta Arenosa (“The Spit”).

2025 Snowy Plover Nesting Season Has Begun on Lengueta Arenosa
A recent find of an active Snowy Plover nest on Lengueta Arenosa has heralded the beginning of the 2025 nesting season!

Causes and Effects of Algal Blooms in the Bay
A message from local scientist Dr. Omar Clay, on pollution in Ensenada Bay and effects on local wildlife and seafood:
Have you walked the beach and noticed a sea lion struggling to move or an increase in the number of dead pelicans lately? If so, you are not alone. Punta Banda, along with most of coastal California is experiencing the downstream consequences of a process known as eutrophication. As a result of eutrophication, domoic acid poisoning is impacting our marine wildlife and if you are someone who consumes a lot of shellfish (e.g. mussels) it could impact you as well.

Punta Banda Conservation Alliance Partners with Ejido Colonel Estaban Cantu to Help Conserve their Wildlife Management Area
The Punta Banda Conservation Alliance is excited to form a partnership in conservation efforts with the Ejido Esteban Cantu (Ejido). The Ejido has set aside many thousands of acres on the Punta Banda peninsula which are managed sustainably for hunting, gathering, and other activities. This large backcountry area is called an "UMA" which roughly translates to "Wildlife Management Area".

Shorebirds at Risk
Beaches along the “spit” in Punta Banda (AKA Lengueta Arenosa), near Punta Banda Estuary, provide a vital ecosystem for migratory and resident shorebirds and portions of it are part of a regionally important site within the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) established in 2017. Annually, more than 20,000 birds rely on the reserve for feeding, resting and breeding. However, increasing human activities, particularly the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the beaches, pose a significant threat to shorebird survival.

Northern Harrier Breeding in Bahía de San Quintín, Baja California: A UniqueDiscovery of Nesting in Salt Marshes
The Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius), a raptor known for its distinctive dimorphism and widespread presence across North America, has made an unexpected impression in the wetlands of Bahía de San Quintín, Baja California. Known for wintering as far south as Central America and sometimes even reaching Colombia and Venezuela, this species typically breeds in more northern regions. However, in recent years, scientists have uncovered successful nesting in one of the southernmost parts of its breeding range—San Quintín Bay.




Hope in an Egg: Snowy Plovers Nesting on Playa Dorado 2024
The snowy plover, one of the most charming inhabitants of the Punta Banda peninsula, just wrapped a successful breeding season, helped by a group of trained and dedicated volunteers. The volunteers provided monitoring, outreach, and protection, allowing these delightful but vulnerable little birds the time and safety they need to hatch their young.

The Least Terns Wrap Up A Successful Breeding Season, With Help From Locals
This year marked a highly successful breeding season for the Least Tern at Punta Banda Estero. Pro Esteros staff, along with dedicated volunteers, undertook significant efforts to prepare the habitat for these small migratory birds, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for their nesting.

Understanding the Ridgway’s Rail: A Battle Against an Invasive Threat
The Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus levipes) is a bird species protected in both Mexico and the United States. From 2016 to present, researchers studied the nesting habits and challenges faced by this species in the Estero de Punta Banda (Estero) in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The study revealed crucial information about their nests, egg numbers, and hatching success, while also uncovering a hidden threat: the invasive Atlantic ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa).

California Least Tern Chicks Banded at Lengueta Arenosa
In late June of 2024, the California Least Tern chicks began hatching! And Pro Esteros biologists have been banding them as part of a crucial monitoring program for this endangered species.
Punta Banda Strong: Help Wanted
Punta Banda Strong, initiated by Gary Woodruff, is a community-driven litter removal initiative focused on enhancing environmental and human well-being. We would like to have contests and prizes to help encourage people to participate, similar to what Punta Banda Strong has done in previous years, but are currently in need of someone to lead and organize this effort. We are actively seeking a dedicated individual to assist in promoting this valuable community program on behalf of the Punta Banda Conservation Alliance.

Successful Restoration Season Concludes
On June 21, 2024, Fauna del Noroeste and a dedicated local crew, including community volunteers, concluded a season of habitat restoration at the estuary. Over the past months, local volunteers have diligently removed iceplant from areas where it had invaded the dunes and marshes, displacing native plants. On Friday, the seasonal effort culminated as wheelbarrows were used to transport massive piles of dried iceplant to a dump truck for removal.

Local Bird Guide: Birds of Todos Santos Bay and the Punta Banda Estuary
Thanks to the collaboration of multiple conservation organizations including two of our member organizations (Pro Esteros and Generation Green), a beautifully illustrated, easy to use, and durable bird guide is available for identifying 109 of the most commonly observed bird species on the Punta Banda peninsula.

Update on Endangered Bird Conservation at Lengueta Arenosa
Excitement continues on the beach front, with our endangered birds getting busy and taking advantage of local habitat restoration efforts.

Shorebird Conservation Grants Available
Manomet launched in 2023 the Small Grants Program for conservation action and/or research that has measurable benefits for populations and species of shorebird restricted to the Neotropics (Latin America and the Caribbean)

Snowy Plover Nest Update
Western Snowy Plovers are getting laid on our beach! Western snowy plover EGGS are being laid and hatching 🐣on Lengueta Arenosa (The Spit). The chicks are with their parents wandering the upper beach for 3 weeks. Until then they are VERY VULNERABLE to our curious dogs and to vehicles on the beach.