As close to Independence Day as we’ve recorded in L.A. County. The vanguard of the Snowy Plover flock made its appearance at two beaches today. I was surprised to see a female land right in front of Lifeguard Station 6 on Santa Monica Beach this afternoon, a good 10 days earlier than the first record of the year in my memory. When I sent a text message to Stacey Vigallon, the LA Audubon coordinator, she answered that she had seen Plovers at Malibu Lagoon this morning. They are expected to live on our beaches through the month of April. Welcome, Little Guys!