August 12, 2010
Post date: Aug 12, 2010 3:05:03 AM
On August 8, we counted 7 snowy plovers at Gazos Creek State Beach (5 unbanded and 2 banded). One of the banded snowy plovers (Lily) was seen the previous Sunday. The other banded bird below (Violet) is a mystery because she lost one of her colored bands. She is of great interest to researchers at the Point Reyes Bird Observatory because she is from outside Central California. She may have come from as far as Southern California or beyond. Our only hope for identification will be if she is spotted next spring when she returns to her original nesting grounds. Each bird identified is very important, because there are only about 2,100 Western Snowy Plovers total along the entire Pacific Coast.
