The Western Snowy Plover is a small, threatened shorebird, around the size of a small sparrow. They’re endangered due to the fact they nest right along the beach and often in some of the most populated areas of the country…including the beaches of Los Angeles, California!

It’s been decades since they’ve been able to successfully nest here but the California Coastal Commission is trying to change that. A small group of Plovers have been wintering along Dockweiler Beach (just below LAX) and we’re hoping that they may nest. A small section of beach has been “coned” off in the attempt to deter Lifeguard vehicles from driving through it and people from running or walking through the area. Hopefully this will be enough to encourage them it’s safe enough to nest and fledge young here.

I was able to photograph them this morning and afternoon since it’s just a few miles from my house. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they will actually nest and fledge young. If they do I’ll be there to document it every step of the way…without disturbing them of course!

And with that I present a small photo gallery of what I was able to photograph today:

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover

Just to show you what a “young” bird looks like, here’s a fledgling I photographed at Bolsa Chica a couple years ago:

Snowy Plover2a

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