Surf Beach, a beautiful, untamed stretch of coastline, is our local beach and possesses a rather unique history. From race track, to train station, to city, and back to undeveloped sand dunes, it is home to many shorebirds, including the Western Snowy Plover. The impact this small, seemingly insignificant bird has had on Surf Beach is almost as significant as the train station that is again in existence above the dunes today.
A modest, tiny shorebird, The Western Snowy Plover is approximately six inches long with grey, brown upper plumage and white under plumage. It primarily forages for small invertebrates in wet or dry beach sand and among tide-cast kelp. The birds nest in the dunes with a March through September breeding season, with nests typically hosting three small eggs. The parents share in the incubation duties, but unlike many other birds, within hours of the eggs hatching, the small fledglings will leave the nest in search of food.
In 1993 this unassuming, small bird was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and has since become the fulcrum point for Surf Beach visitation seven months of the year. As Surf Beach is on Federal property, strict interpretation and enforcement of the Endangered Species Act has been observed. During the nesting season of March 1st to September 30th each year, only a 1/2 mile of the coastline at Surf Beach is open to the public via the Surf Beach train depot entrance. There is no access from Ocean Park to Surf Beach other than a trail above the dunes that skirts the railroad tracks. In addition, during this time frame, no fishing, kite flying, dogs, bonfires or camping are allowed on the beach, and the dunes are off-limits as well. Fines are possible with violations of the posted restrictions, as well as possible complete closure of the beach, though closure is not the objective. Thankfully, beach closures and limitations are just one aspect of Vandenberg SFB’s management program for the recovery of this species. Others have included predator management and habitat restoration through the removal of non-native plant species.
With all this focus on the recovery program at Surf Beach, some are surprised to find the Western Snowy Plover’s habitat extends along the West Coast from Washington through Baja Mexico and beyond. Indeed, many contend the bird is not truly threatened and cite reliable sources, information and data. An appeal was submitted to USF&WS to delist the bird, but no action was taken. It is not, however, our position to debate the fairness or accuracy of the listing or the measurements taken by VSFB mandated through the ESA. Instead, we are asking everyone to observe the rules in place and help keep our beach open all year so that we may enjoy the beauty of this untamed area in its natural glory.
Truly, whether you agree or not that the bird is threatened or with the restrictions, we believe we should always strive to be better stewards of our incredible planet and work to live side by side with nature every day, not just seven months of the year.
