Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 7:00 PM

A Tale of Two Shorebirds - a slide presentation by Paul Donahue
Sharp Park Library community room, 140 Hilton Way, Pacifica

This presentation highlights Snowy Plover and Sanderling, two often confused species of shorebirds found along Pacifica's ocean shore. The life histories of these two birds will be examined, as well as the conservation challenges they both face.

Through the fall, winter, and spring Snowy Plovers and Sanderlings can be found almost side by side along our sandy beaches. Sanderlings are the little whitish sandpipers that chase the waves up and down the beach, while the much less conspicuous Snowy Plovers are generally found up on the higher and drier sections of the beach. Then, while Snowy Plovers remain in the south to nest on some of these same sandy beaches along the California coast, in late April Sanderlings begin a migration to their nesting grounds in the high Arctic tundra, thousands of miles to the north.

Sadly, as with many so species these days, Snowy Plovers and Sanderlings are both in decline. Snowy Plover numbers have fallen far enough for the species to be federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. As is often the case, the threats to the continued survival of these two species come from multiple sources. Despite the great differences in their life histories, these two shorebirds share a common threat - human disturbance on the sandy beaches they prefer.

Speaker: Ornithologist, bird artist, and photographer Paul Donahue has studied shorebirds extensively for over 40 years, including work on shorebird conservation and research projects with the Manomet Center for Conservation Science and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Now a Pacifica resident, he spends considerable time observing the wintering Snowy Plovers and Sanderlings on Pacifica State Beach . 

This presentation is sponsored by the Pacifica Shorebird Alliance.

On request

Educational Presentation: "Snowy Plovers in Pacifica"

Would you like to have a slide show presentation for your class or group that is an exploration of Pacifica State Beach and the Snowy Plover flock that winters here?

If so, contact Margaret Goodale at: margstan@sbcglobal.net

Also covered are the efforts that have been made to protect these migratory birds.

On request

Observer Training

Location TBD, contact eegeer@comcast.net. This is continued training focusing on observations, general species recognition and completing/submitting forms.

As called

General Meeting

The Pacifica Shorebird Alliance meetings are usually held at the Community Center, Crespi and Hwy 1. Come find out what the latest is on local shorebird protections and what you can do.

Contact us to find out when the next meeting is:  pacificashorebird@gmail.com