A tiny, often overlooked winter visitor to Pacifica State Beach is now enjoying additional protection thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers.

The Western Snowy Plover is a federally threatened species that relies on Pacifica State Beach (also known as Linda Mar Beach) as a wintering site, usually arriving around mid-August and leaving in March or April. During this time they fatten up on a rich protein diet of kelp flies, beach hoppers, other insects and small invertebrates washed up on the beach, and occasionally in the back dunes.

The Western Snowy Plover winter roosting population at Pacifica State Beach has declined by 75% over the last 12 years. Snowy Plovers have declined throughout their range on the Pacific Coast due to human disturbance, habitat destruction, and animal predation.

In a 12-year marathon battle, the Pacifica Shorebird Alliance, Sequoia Audubon (the local chapter encompassing Pacifica and San Mateo) and allies pushed to protect the Pacifica plovers, working with multiple agencies: local and state Audubon chapters, federal and state land managers, private land owners, and city administrations. Finally, on August 15, 2014, 45 volunteers erected a symbolic fence on the beach with the help of the Pacifica Department of Public Works. Over 950 feet of symbolic fencing was installed to provide protection for the plovers from the constant threat of human and canine disturbance.

Volunteers and schoolchildren assisting with installation of the symbolic fence

Also known as seasonal fencing, symbolic fencing consists of a set of removable, narrow poles with a line running through a hole at the top. Installed before the birds arrive in early fall and removed after they leave in late spring, this visual barrier makes it easy for people to walk around roosting snowy plovers, which are difficult to see. Funds raised by Audubon California paid for all the fence materials, tools, and the production of signs using drawings by local school children.

Volunteer Margaret Goodale has spent the last four winters presenting Snowy Plover slide shows to local school kids, as well as arranging field studies at the beach so kids can see the plovers in person. Ten students from Ocean Shore School created posters that were used to make sturdy ¼-inch-thick signs that were attached to the symbolic fence.  The schoolchildren also assisted with the installation of the fence, attaching their signs to the poles.

Students from Fran Quartini’s second grade class in Pacifica created posters about the Snowy Plovers

Pacifica volunteers monitor the wintering population of Snowy Plovers and have been delighted by an increase in the numbers of plovers using the beach since the symbolic fence was installed.

“Those of us who watched the numbers drop and drop over the last ten years are now completely thrilled to have double the number of plovers as the best day last winter,” says Margaret Goodale.

Western Snowy Plovers, Pacifica State Beach

Winters, 2003‐04 through 2014‐15

Average = three most populous months and Maximum = entire season.

Note the higher numbers for 2014-15 after installation of symbolic fence.

To help the plovers, please remember to always throw away any trash in garbage cans so as not to attract predators like ravens and crows. Walk or jog along the wet sand when possible. Finally, to avoid stressing the birds and other wildlife, please follow leash laws when you bring your pet to the beach. This is especially important at Pacifica State Beach, according to Goodale.  

"Keep dogs on the beach leashed in accordance with Pacifica's leash law," Goodale said. "Avoid disturbing the tiny birds who need to conserve and build energy for the breeding season. Be aware and alert to their movements that may indicate they are disturbed by your presence. Walk on the wet sand to give the birds access to their invertebrate foods at the wrack line where seaweed is washed up.”

The next phase of this project will be the installation of permanent fencing along the multipurpose trail east of the plover habitat and dunes which will be funded through a US Fish and Wildlife Coastal program grant.

To help protect the Western Snowy Plover, please consider donating to the Coastal Stewardship Fund to support chapter-led projects to assist local populations.

Sue Morgan, Golden Gate Audubon blog

Photo of Western Snowy Plover by Bob Lewis. All other photos courtesy of Margaret Goodale and Pacifica Shorebird Alliance.