Your “Tern!” Monitoring Least Terns and Snowy Plovers

The primary objective of this program is to provide reports regarding the monitoring of nesting sites of the California Least Terns and Western Snowy Plovers in San Diego County by setting up GIS mapping of sites for monitoring prior to and during seasonal occupation.

Research involves field investigations, which include observation and documentation of behavior and nesting chronology, chick banding, and local impact of predators to provide baseline data for ongoing studies and management of habitat. Our records are pooled with those kept for the entire state annually by California Department of Fish and Game so that regulators and species advocates are kept current on the status and trends of these endangered species and their habitat so species protections measures can be adjusted as required.