See our latest story: This spring and summer, 'Share the Shore' with California’s tiniest shore birds

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.  Check out our latest story:     This spring and summer, #SharetheShore with California's tiniest shore birds Coastline visitors will be sharing beaches from Washington state to Baja California, Mexico, with smaller residents as spring approaches. Breeding season for the western snowy plover begins in March and continues through September. Credit: USFWS   By Robyn Gerstenslager March 8, 2017 While Californians and visitors flock to the beaches this spring and summer, a much smaller resident will share the shoreline: the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus). The small birds, found along America's western coastline from Washington to Baja California, Mexico, are usually only six inches long and weigh up to two ounces. They have been federally protected as a threatened species since 1993. Breeding season from March to September is an especially critical time for the birds. They lay their eggs in small depressions in the sandy area of beaches with easy access to the water—the same prime real estate sought after by beach goers for picnicking, walking pets and jogging. Overall, the birds' nesting habitats are vulnerable to urban development, and other conditions like invasive plant species, predators, beach erosion, high tides or severe weather. Continue to full story... Stay Connected with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region     This email was sent using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region · 2800 Cottage Way · Suite W-2606 · Sacramento, CA 95825