Date: 3/3/26 4:45 pm From: Parker Kaye via groups.io <parkerk...> Subject: [northbaybirds] Point Reyes Snowy Plover Nesting Season 2026
Hi birders,
It's that time of year again and the Point Reyes National Seashore snowy
plover nesting season is upon us! Although it's early, our team has been
observing pairs and plenty of scrapes at all the usual sites, including
Abbotts Lagoon.
This year, like last, we are keeping part of the southwest lower lagoon
shoreline open to birders and visitors all season long (please see attached
photo; encircled red area is the annual plover closure). However, this area
will only be accessible going off-trail along the east side of the lower
lagoon and around the south end (light green path). *This area will not be
accessible via walking around the lagoon mouth and walking south along the
western lower lagoon shoreline or by crossing over dunes south of the
lagoon mouth; *most of the southwest lagoon shoreline will still be closed
during the nesting season (March-end of August) to reduce disturbance on
incubating adults and broods. Please expect to see (and respect) symbolic
fencing set up in this area over the next few weeks.
In 2025, we had a good number of plovers nesting close to the lower lagoon
shoreline and the area was also used by several broods (i.e., males with
chicks). Because of their success in that area, we expect them to return
again this year.
Last year we continued our Snowy Plover Volunteer Monitoring Program and
will be continuing this year! If you have prior experience with data
collection and/or field work with shorebirds and are interested in
contributing your time to conservation efforts, please let me know by
contacting me at <parker_kaye...> Training will be required.
If there’s any questions regarding the annual closure at Abbotts Lagoon or
anything snowy plover related, feel free to reach out.
Thanks everyone and happy spring birding,
Parker
--
Parker Kaye
Biological Science Technician – Snowy Plovers
Point Reyes National Seashore Association
(916) 835-8614
