IN THIS ISSUE

Tar Balls Wash Up on Beaches

Stressed Seabirds

Visitor Center's New Look

Endangered Spotlight: Tidewater Goby

 

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Whale Watching Trips

Saturday, March 15th is SOLD OUT!

Next trip:
Saturday, April 26th

 

Avoid Seal Pups on California Beaches!

 

Summer Camp registration is now open!

 

March 4 - 9 Spring 2008 Beach Watch Training. Come to an orientation to find out more!

 

March 8 Teacher Workshop LiMPETS Introduction to Sandy Beach Monitoring

 

March 22 Sanctuary Visitor Center Open House Celebration: Saturday, 1 pm – 4 pm.

 

March 29 Kayak Trip in Tomales Bay. Come explore the wildlife in our sanctuary!

 

Donate Today!

 

 

 

Tarballs on the Beach Again?

During the last week of January, gobs of black tar began washing up on San Mateo County beaches. Certain areas, like Fitzgerald Reserve and Linda Mar in Pacifica, were closed to visitors.

As the huge tar patties washed to shore, beachgoers immediately feared the heavy storms had brought back more of the Cosco Busan oil.  “Beach Watch volunteers reported tarballs numbering in the hundreds that were the size of cow patties,” stated Shannon Lyday, Beach Watch Manager.

Continued >>

 

 

Stressed Seabirds Make Lousy Parents

Seabirds, particularly those species that nest and roost on cliffs or offshore rocks, can easily be spooked by humans. When we get too close to seabird colonies, the birds experience higher stress levels and expend more energy.

Frequent human disturbance can disrupt critical seabird behaviors such as finding good nesting sites, defending their nests and feeding their young.  Birds may leave their eggs and chicks unprotected from predators and adverse weather conditions.

Continued >>

 

Check Out Our New Digs!

Have you seen a monkey-faced prickleback lately?  Or held a shark tooth in your hand? Come visit our new renovated Visitor Center! 

The Sanctuary Visitor Center has redesigned exhibits, amazing videos, up-to-date graphics, a fresh coat of paint, and new beautiful custom cabinetry built from salvaged redwood.

Continued >>

 

Endangered Spotlight: Tidewater Goby

(Eucyclogobius newberryi)

With tidewater gobies, females are in charge. During mating season, male fish dig burrows to lure potential mates. Females fight over the prospective dens.

After the females lay their eggs, the males spend a little over a week guarding hundreds of eggs, seldom venturing outside their burrows until the fertilized eggs have hatched.

Continued >>

 

Photo Credits: Clean-up Crew: Kurt Rogers. Murres: NOAA. Visitor Center Sign: Jeff Northam. Tidewater Goby: Greg Goldsmith