Point Blue Conservation Science
@pointblue
Our mission is to conserve birds, other wildlife, and ecosystems through science, partnership, and outreach. We find nature-based, community-driven solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. Learn more at www.pointblue.org.
🗞️🦉🌎🧪 In the news: #Snowy Plovers reach conservation milestone! Last year, annual counts reached 3,000–a major recovery benchmark for this federally threatened species! Read about our work with these tiny shorebirds and the collaborative conservation efforts driving their recovery: shorturl.at/KZSvL
📓🦉🌎🧪 The Palomarin early winter banding summary is live! A #KingTide flooded our Pine Gulch banding station, leading to exciting captures—including two Marsh Wrens and a rare Northern House Wren. Back at Palomarin, we banded a White-throated Sparrow (the first since 2022)! shorturl.at/RAauB
🌎🧪🗳️ There are 3 more days to stand up for science and make your voice heard on a potential federal policy change that could negatively affect science activities across the country. Learn more and consider submitting a public comment: shorturl.at/AqhuG
🐣 It's peak Pigeon Guillemot season on the Farallones! Chicks began hatching about two weeks ago, and our researchers have just started banding the first mostly feathered chicks. See photos to learn more about this charismatic species and the #science that helps us understand and protect them. 🌎🧪🦉🦑
📊🌎🦉🧪 Good news from Point Blue’s Sierra Group: we found 40 breeding territories of endangered Willow Flycatchers at Warner Valley Wildlife Area—consistent with past survey numbers despite the 2021 Dixie Fire. Healthy wet meadow ecosystems can be remarkably resilient to wildfire! 🔥🌱
🌎🧪🗳️ Proposed OMB rule to impact federal #science funding. Rule would allow federal grants be terminated at any time, shift award decisions from peer reviewers to political appointees, and destabilize science funding. If this news concerns you, submit a public comment by 7/13. shorturl.at/NNh7b
🌲🦉🌎🎬✨ Steal the Look! From towering Douglas Firs to forest-floor-dwelling Rough-Skinned Newts, a mature mixed conifer forest supports incredible #biodiversity. We couldn’t resist taking fashion inspo from our favorite residents of this star-studded habitat. Which species' look are you stealing?
🌎🧪🐾 Exciting wildlife sighting! Just hours after partner org #AllHandsEcology let us know a tracked mountain lion (P60 "Pangui") was detected nearby, our off duty banding apprentice spotted it near Palo! Read more about this project shorturl.at/5CVcR + the capture of this lion: shorturl.at/uaaMV
🌎🦉🧪 Fledgling season is here! Each spring, our crew works tirelessly to monitor every stage of the Northern Spotted Owl breeding season. By June, young owlets are beginning to leave the nest. They'll stay close to their parents this summer as they learn to hunt and become independent by late summer.
🌎🦉🦑🧪 Point Blue collaborates: new @sfestuaryinstitute.bsky.social study measures microplastics in the Bay smaller than human hair. These microplastics are moving through the California Current food web and into forage species consumed by seabirds, marine mammals, and fisheries. shorturl.at/x0FQY
☀️ Happy Summer Solstice! Today marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Wherever you are today, we hope you find a moment to get outside and celebrate the beauty of the natural world. 🌿🌸🐦
🌎🦉🧪 These Snowy Plovers are getting a second chance in the wild! On Friday, June 12th, we released two rehabilitated plovers at Zmudowski State Beach. Thank you to everyone who contributed to their rescue, rehabilitation, and successful release!
🌎🌊🧪🦑📊 🦀🐋 New Point Blue study examines where California’s commercial Dungeness crab fleet actually fishes and how that information can help reduce whale entanglements. Read the full study: shorturl.at/lH0Tf
Have you ever seen a #CommonMurre lay an egg? It's peak egg-laying season for murres on the Farallon Islands. Our #seabird scientists got lucky and caught this special moment on video! 🎥🐧🥚🦉🌎🧪
🦉 🌎🧪 Meet the Common Murre! Common Murres are the most numerous #seabird species on the Farallon Islands, which are home to the largest breeding colony in California. We’re just getting into peak egg-laying season!
🌎🌊🧪🦑 Happy #WorldOceanDay! Healthy oceans are essential for climate stability, biodiversity, and human well-being. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) ensure their protection. Learn more about how we support #science and #conservation in marine protected areas around the world. ⬇️
🌱🌏🧪🗳️California just passed #AB2158, a bill that would expand outdoor learning in TK–12 schools statewide. At Point Blue, we’ve seen the power of outdoor education through STRAW since 1992. Learn more about AB 2158, what happens next, and how you can help: shorturl.at/5KA6r
🦉🌏🧪 From @sfgate.com: rare tropical bird (suspected to be a lesser frigatebird) was recently spotted in Southern California. Point Blue ecologist Ryan DiGaudio says the current extreme marine heatwave and brewing El Niño might have played a role. shorturl.at/IRoAx
🐣🧪🌏🦉 Point Reyes #SnowyPlovers got an early start this year after spring heatwaves triggered the earliest nesting season on record. With the first chicks now hatching, beach closures are going into effect just in time to protect vulnerable nests and chicks. More from @sfgate.com 🗞️ shorturl.at/M5Ovx
🧪🌏🦉 The Fall 2025 banding summary is here! In 35 days (3,867.6 hours) of mist-netting at Palomarin in August–October, we captured 329 #birds across 38 species, including 236 new birds and 93 recaptures. Learn about the most exciting captures, observations, and stats of the season: shorturl.at/yXPpF
🧪🌏🦑🦉 Meet the Western Gull! These #seabirds are coastal dwellers & rarely travel more than 100 miles inland. The Farallon Islands are home to the largest breeding colony in the lower 48. Egg-laying peaks in May, so our seabird scientists are seeing tons of eggs right now! 🪺
🧪🌏🦑🦉 What does it take to support one of California’s most extraordinary wildlife refuges? Sailing magazine Latitude 38 takes a closer look at the volunteers, funding, and stewardship programs that sustain Point Blue’s vital conservation science work on the Farallon Islands. shorturl.at/WL5fK
🦉🧪🌏 Hot take from @baynature.org: “Restoring Salt Ponds to Marshes Is a Win. Unless You’re a #SnowyPlover.” Read the full story to learn about the pros, cons, and complexities of salt marsh restoration in the Bay Area. Point Blue’s Carleton Eyster weighs in: shorturl.at/bzABD
🌏🧪🐝🌸 #SERCAL2026 is almost here! Catch Point Blue’s Alissa Fogg on 5/19 at “Listening to the #Birds and the #Bees.” She’ll discuss using bee monitoring in #pollinator restoration projects to guide implementation and planting palette decisions for land stewards across CA. sercal.org/sercal-2026
🧪🎨🌏 Ready to blend art and science to create real-world conservation impact? Apply to be Point Blue’s 2026 #ScienceIllustration Apprentice! Apply for this popular, career-launching #SciArt opportunity by 5/29/26: shorturl.at/M3dKR
🌏🧪🦑 Did you see the purple waves along Point Reyes? Researchers believe they were caused by huge concentrations of doliolids, small gelatinous planktonic tunicates that can rapidly bloom under the right conditions. Point Blue's Dr. Jaime Jahncke shares insights with @baynature.org shorturl.at/lfQCM
🌎🦅🧪 Happy World Migratory Bird Day! This year’s theme is #citizenscience. Get started by downloading #Ebird or @inaturalist.bsky.social. Observations from people like you help scientists (including our team at Point Blue!) track changes in #bird populations and inform #conservation action.
🗞️🌲🦉🌏🧪 Proud to have contributed to a recent article on the plight of the #NorthernSpottedOwl. Did you know we've been monitoring this species since 1997? Learn more about this threatened species, the challenges it’s facing, and the work underway to protect it: shorturl.at/oXj2V