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.

The endangered California least terns have arrived and are nesting in the area Pro Esteros and a group of volunteers recently restored and fenced for them.

John Kinabrew, our trusted steward of the snowy plover on the more heavily traveled beach areas, found a seventh nest this week with three more eggs.

Fauna del Noreste staff have been removing salt cedar along the estuary’s nature trail. One reason to remove the salt cedars is to reduce excessive predation on shore and estuary birds by raptors which roost in the extra roosting space provided by these nonnative trees. And of course the tamarisk also occupy space which would otherwise be native plant habitat as well as using more than their share of limited freshwater in the dunes.

Let’s all celebrate the incredible conservation that local biologists and volunteers have undertaken to ensure we continue to share the beaches with these rare and vulnerable birds. Let’s all do our part by treading lightly and restraining our dogs in the vicinity of sensitive nesting areas.