The Pacific Coast population of the Western Snowy Plover was listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act in 1993 because of declining populations. The stretch of beach between Isla Vista and Ellwood (including Sands Beach) was designated "Critical Habitat" in December of 1999; at the time of the critical habitat listing, the population was estimated at less than 1500 individuals.

Up to 400 Western Snowy Plovers (includes Pacific and Inland populations) feed and rest on Sands Beach each winter. This is the largest winter agregation in US. Sands Beach, at Coal Oil Point Reserve, is a very special place for Snowy Plovers because it provides high quality habitat for these birds. The rich kelp beds in the ocean continuously feed the beach with kelp wrack (pieces of kelp washed by tides). The kelp on the beach is food for beach hoppers, kelp flies, and other insects which are eaten by plovers and other shorebirds. Sands beach is also special because it was the first site that had lost its breeding population entirely for several decades and then recovered its population after conservation measures were implemented. These efforts show that people can reverse the unfortunate trend to extinction by sharing space with other species.

Sands beach is open to the public all year. Parts of the dry sandy beach, near the mouth of the slough, are closed all year to reduce foot traffic near the wintering plovers and the main nesting area. Between March 15th and September 15th, the fence is extended to the west, towards the end of the Reserve, to protect nests that are built along the beach. The nests are very camouflaged and, without the fence, could be trampled by beach users unknowingly. The fence is only symbolic, it does not keep dogs from walking under it. Thus, we ask everyone to leash their dogs at all times. Even the calmest dogs can become excited when they see the plovers or other wildlife. In 2003, an unleashed dog bit and killed a plover chick at Sands beach. Research by USGS biologist, Dr. Kevin Lafferty, showed that a dog can cause 10 times more disturbance to a plover than a person walking by. This is because some dogs actively chased the plovers and because plovers were more afraid of dogs than they were of people.

To understand how plovers are doing at Coal Oil Point Reserve, biologists count them weekly during the wintering season and daily during the breeding season. Each nest is mapped into a GIS database and each chick is observed daily until they are capable of flying (fledged). It takes one month for an egg to incubate and another month for a chick to grow large enough to fly. By observing the chicks and nests daily, the biologists can determine the cause of mortality by looking for predator tracks on the sand. Each predator (skunk, racoon, crow, etc) leaves a distinct footprint on the sand.

The plovers and other declining species need your help. Please support this and other programs that are attempting to bring this bird back to the beaches.

Here are a few reasons:

1. They are interesting birds to watch
2. They feed on beach flies and other insects and are an integral part of the beach ecosystem
3. They took thousands of years to become what they are
4. Extintion is forever
5. Our lives can be more interesting with than without them
6. We have much to learn from observing them
7. Protecting the Snowy Plover habitat contributes to the protection of many more species that receive less attention such as the Globose Dune beetle, the Dune Spider, and the Beach Tiger Beetle

What you can do to help the Snowy Plovers

1. When walking up and down the beach, stay on the wet, hard-packed sand; the plovers use this area less than the upper beach.
2. Avoid eating at the beach and leaving trash. Left-over food attracts crows that prey on plover eggs.
3. Choose a beach which is not used by Snowy Plovers to exercise your dog. Or if you bring it to Sands Beach, PLEASE keep it on a leash (as is required by local, posted regulations) and keep it away from the fenced areas at all times.
4. If plovers react to you, retreat several paces and walk in a wide arc around them.
5. Become a volunteer docent and help teach the community about the plovers and sandy beach ecosystem.

Your cooperation will help us reach a balance between conservation and recreation.