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.

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).

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, 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.

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.

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.

Excitement continues on the beach front, with our endangered birds getting busy and taking advantage of local habitat restoration efforts.

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)

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.

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, there was a presentation to inform the English-speaking community about the actions being taken to help in stopping pollution caused by wastewater discharges.

This Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25, mark the final opportunity to take part in a vital conservation effort that has been the heart of our community for the past three weekends. We are calling on all nature enthusiasts, community members, and local heroes to unite for a cause that is not only crucial for our environment but also for the survival of the endangered California least tern.

Yesterday, 3 western snowy plover eggs hatched on Playa Dorado and the tiny little fluffballs were observed with their parents wandering the upper beach. That is 3 more out a world population of perhaps 5000! In three weeks they will be able to fly but until then they are VERY VULNERABLE to our curious dogs and to vehicles.

In a May 2 meeting, residents reported an increase in discharges of contaminated water in Maneadero, Baja California.

On Sunday, May 4, biologists and others interested in local conservation participated in the Ensenada Border BioBlitz at our beautiful estuary, in spite of the rain. The Border BioBlitz is an extensive, annual community science endeavor to record as many species as possible in the vicinity of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Last week Punta Banda residents and visitors were graced with a visit by a pod of blue whales, who lingered offshore from Bahia Papalote for several days.

A federal judge has ordered the municipal government to restore the coastal dunes of Playa Hermosa. The dunes were damaged during the construction of a skate park project which was ordered by Mayor Armando Ayala Robles without the required environmental authorizations.

April 22, 2024, we celebrate Earth Day—a day dedicated to honoring our planet and promoting environmental protection. As we come together to raise awareness about the importance of conservation, let us reflect on the impact of our actions on the Earth and commit to making positive changes for a sustainable future.

On April 2, 2024, La Alianza unveiled their newly formed organization at the Gertrude Pearlman Theater in Punta Banda.

Many of us gathered on the beach on April 16 to learn about the endangered snowy plover, a tiny shorebird that nests on our local beaches and is highly vulnerable to humans, dogs, and pollution. We also learned about California least tern, another endangered bird nesting on our beaches.