Parenting Under Pressure: California’s Snowy Plovers Deserve Protected Spots to Nest and Thrive

For many Western Snowy Plovers, the tiny, adorable puffballs you may be lucky to see skittering back and forth along the Pacific Coast, this time of year marks their first steps into parenthood. I think about what it must be like for them—the journey and struggle to find a safe place to nest, ensuring that the site will provide enough food to nourish their new young while avoiding predators and dangerous situations. With small eggs that are perfectly camouflaged to match the sand and chicks about the size of a human thumb, they navigate a fraught landscape of giants, like off-leash dogs and motorized vehicles speeding down the beach.

As I recently became a new parent myself, I’ve often reflected on that deep protective instinct to safeguard our offspring and have a newfound respect for this resilient species. It’s incredible how instinctual it is for them to care for their chicks, all while navigating new and unexpected challenges along the way. And the start of this breeding season has been no exception. From breaking records to celebrating victories, this year has shown us how these little birds show up in big ways.

This nesting season, Snowy Plovers set a new hatching record. Our partners at Point Blue recorded chicks hatching at Fort Ord Dunes State Park in Monterey Bay as early as March. In their decades of monitoring, they have only recorded one nest hatching before April, and this year they documented 70 nests and numerous chicks hatching before March 25th. With this unprecedented benchmark, we'll be watching closely to see how these early birds fare and whether this shift becomes a lasting trend.

Further down the coast, we saw a big victory for Snowy Plovers when a federal court ordered a temporary closure of Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, ruling in favor of a long-standing lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity. The court ruled that the California Department of Parks and Recreation violated the Endangered Species Act by allowing off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in Snowy Plover habitat without having an Incidental Take Permit. It has been well documented that OHV activity resulted in injuries and deaths of Snowy Plovers.

The Western Snowy Plover is listed as a federally threatened species and therefore protected under the Endangered Species Act. The temporary closure prohibits OHV use south of Arroyo Grande Creek, encompassing approximately 1,500 acres of coastal dunes and 3 miles of beach, which serves as current and potential Snowy Plover nesting, roosting, and foraging areas. The closure began on April 14th and will remain in effect until State Parks completes its Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), which is required to obtain an Incidental Take Permit.

In 2020, CA State Parks released a draft of the HCP for Oceano Dunes, but the final plan was never completed due to ongoing litigation, regulatory disputes, and conflicting goals. In November 2025, State Parks released a revised HCP, which Audubon California and Morro Coast Audubon Chapter reviewed and commented on. Three major concerns stood out for us:

1.     Elimination/Reduction of season fencing (exclosures) - The plan proposes to reduce or eliminate exclosures, which can have significant impacts on Snowy Plovers’ ability to breed, nest, and survive. Fewer protected areas will reduce available nesting and foraging habitat while increasing aggression among birds and the possibility of nesting within the open riding area.

2.     Conflicts with the California Public Resources Code – The HCP frames conservation and recreational access as coequal goals. However, the Public Resources Code, which contains the governing statutes for the management of state parks, states that “...conservation of natural and cultural resources are of the highest priority in the management of the state vehicular recreation areas”. When recreational activities require a permit to authorize mortality of protected species, it would seem our natural resources are no longer the highest priority and raises questions about whether those activities can be considered environmentally responsible.

3.     Proposed take exceeds historic highs  – The plan’s proposed take numbers include 40 juveniles and/or adults, 80 chicks, and 80 eggs over 5 years. For reference, the highest mortality rate for eggs since 2002 was 11 eggs, meaning the requested allowable take in the HCP exceeds historic trends by almost 50%. We strongly believe the HCP should prioritize actions that support the recovery and growth of listed species, not increase the opportunities for more mortalities. 

Next Steps for Western Snowy Plovers at Oceano Dunes

CA State Parks aims to have the HCP and Incidental Take Permit finalized and approved by the end of May 2026. Audubon California will keep a close eye on any news and stay engaged on this topic—so join our newsletter list for updates.

Protecting this unique coastal dune system by limiting OHV use not only benefits Snowy Plovers but also protects the five other listed species at Oceano Dunes, including the California Least Tern, preserves wrack accumulation to ensure adequate food for shorebirds, and improves air quality for local communities. Although this closure at Oceano Dunes is only temporary, it will provide vital reprieve for these Snowy Plovers that are learning the ropes of parenthood and trying to raise their brood.

While these small but resilient birds have shown us how adaptable they are, we and our partners remain committed to monitoring these species and supporting their recovery. Join the effort by learning how to Share the Shore and volunteer with your local Audubon chapter. These vulnerable birds could use the support of all of us—because, like raising children, it takes a village.