Point Blue Conservation Science

05/29/2026

🐣 Point Reyes Snowy Plovers got an unusually early start this year after spring heatwaves triggered the earliest nesting season on record.

With the first chicks of the season now hatching, annual beach closures are going into effect just in time to protect vulnerable plover nests and chicks. We’re proud to partner with Point Reyes National Seashore and Point Reyes National Seashore Association to protect and monitor federally threatened . Read the full SFGATE article to learn more about beach closures, plovers, and ongoing conservation efforts: https://shorturl.at/M5Ovx

📸: Point Reyes National Seashore (PC: Doug Michaels), a western snowy plover chick gets its footing in the Point Reyes National Seashore (PC: Parker Kaye/PRNSA), first snowy plover chicks of 2026 (PC: Parker Kaye/PRNSA).

05/29/2026

We are a proud member of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN), a statewide network of organizations committed to providing the best capture and care for oil-affected wildlife in California.

Throughout the year, members of our team participate in specialized OWCN trainings and preparedness exercises, building and maintaining the skills and experience needed to respond when wildlife needs us most.

That commitment to preparedness is being put into action during the ongoing oiled wildlife response efforts in the Los Angeles area, where trained OWCN responders from our organization have joined fellow responders from across the state to support wildlife recovery, care, and rehabilitation efforts.

We stand alongside our fellow member organizations in this collaborative effort and grateful for the dedication of the teams making this work possible.

05/28/2026

Point Blue X ENGRAFFT Fragment Farallones collection drops tomorrow! Preorder: www.engrafft.com/shop

05/28/2026

Throwing it back to 🍂 fall 🍂 because we just published the Palomarin Fall 2025 banding summary!

Fall is an exciting time at Palomarin–young birds are dispersing, some birds are getting ready to migrate, and others start to arrive on their Point Reyes winter grounds. August can also bring a good mix of species as the breeding season draws to a close and migration begins. In 35 days (3,867.6 net hours) of mist-netting at Palomarin between August and October, we captured 329 birds across 38 species, including 236 new birds and 93 recaptures. Check out the full blog post for details on the most exciting captures, observations, and stats from the fall 2025 season! https://shorturl.at/yXPpF

📸: the first Golden-crowned Sparrow of the season (10/2/25), MacGillivray’s Warbler (8/15/25), Lincoln’s Sparrow (10/29/25), Juvenile Chipping Sparrow (8/31/25), Juvenile Golden-crowned Kinglet (8/17/25). Photos by Larissa Babicz.

05/27/2026

🎥🚨🌾 ABC7 News reports: discovery of non-native plant threatens tidal marsh restoration.

Point Blue STRAW Restoration Director Leia Giambastiani first detected the non-native marsh grass during routine monitoring of the Novato Baylands restoration site, which Point Blue manages in partnership with the California State Coastal Conservancy. The concern is that this new plant (which had never been detected in the North Bay) could crowd out native species and upset the balance of the recently restored tidal marsh ecosystem. Follow the link to watch the segment (start at 30:21) and hear directly from STRAW staff on how they’re working to protect and restore the Novato Baylands. 👉

The Bay Area's source for breaking news and live streaming video online. Covering San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose and all of the greater Bay Area.

05/26/2026

Join us this Thursday at the Petaluma Historical Museum for a wetland-focused panel discussion! Panelists include: Julian Wood (Point Blue SF Bay Program Leader), Anne Chadwick (Point Blue board member and Time & Tide artist), and Julian Meisler (Sonoma Land Trust Associate Director of Stewardship). Together, we'll explore how our relationships with wetlands have evolved and what stewardship looks like in a changing climate.

05/25/2026

We’re back with , and this week we’re spotlighting the Western Gull!

These seabirds are native to the Pacific Coast of North America and are a common sight near coastal areas–did you know they rarely travel more than 100 miles inland? They primarily breed on offshore islands (the Farallon Islands are home to the largest breeding colony in the lower 48). Egg-laying on the island peaks in May, so our seabird scientists are seeing tons of eggs right now! 🪺

Swipe to learn more about Western Gulls and the work we do with this species on the Farallones. Have questions? Let us know in the comments!

05/22/2026

🌱☀️ Scenes from a recent Community Planting Day!

On Saturday, May 9th, STRAW South Bay hosted 23 members of the community for a volunteer planting day at Nyland property. Together, we got 65 plants into the ground and helped create more habitat for native pollinators to thrive. 🐝🦋

It was a beautiful day filled with sunshine, community, and hands-on conservation. Thank you to everyone who came out to help make a difference! 💚

05/22/2026

The SPCA’s Wildlife Center currently has 10 snowy plover eggs in care and 2 chicks. Currently, at least 5 of the eggs appear to be fertile. This species is closely monitored by field biologists, and the eggs are brought to us if they are in danger or if the parents are unable to be located or have abandoned the nest. Snowy Plovers are federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The SPCA works closely with our partners at Point Blue Conservation Science and U.S. Fish & Wildlife to give this species the best chance at survival. We are monitoring the eggs with an LED candling light.

05/21/2026

What does it take to support one of California’s most extraordinary wildlife refuges? Latitude 38 Magazine takes a closer look at the volunteers, funding, and stewardship programs that sustain Point Blue’s vital conservation science work on the Farallon Islands.

Home to over half a million seabirds, several species of marine mammals, and at the heart of one of the world's most productive marine ecosystems, the are truly a special place. Point Blue has maintained a year-round research presence on the island since 1968, but we need your help to continue this critical work.

Follow the link to explore the Farallon Islands through the eyes of the sailing community and learn how you can support conservation as a Farallones Steward, donor, or Farallon Patrol volunteer. https://shorturl.at/WL5fK

📸: Skipper Larry Hall is all smiles as he steers Francesca on a tour around the island
© 2026 SV Francesca