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Snowy Plover information sign created by local artist. (C.Almdale (3/15/12)

Making the location even more a matter of guesswork was the fact that n0t one of the birds was roosting: all were running around down by the water’s edge and “nosing” around in the numerous clumps of wrack dotting the beach.

Snowy Plover contemplates beach wrack clump. (C.Almdale)

This is a “symbolic fence” because it consists of only a line of  fence posts connected by a rope.  Signs are hung are regular intervals, but it’s far from an impenetrable barrier. However, in my experience, it adequately serves to eliminate the vast majority of beach traffic. I’d guesstimate that 95% of people stay out. The plovers are so small and cryptically plumaged that people simply don’t see them, especially if they are walking along deep in thought or conversation and unaware of tiny birds at their feet.  The Snowies also look a lot like the far more numerous and definitely not-threatened Sanderlings: with what seems like hundreds or thousands of the same tiny bird running all over, the uninformed person is far less likely to be concerned.

Chuck handles the tall posts. Some people pay health club dues to get this kind of exercise. (C.Almdale (3/15/12)

But they are quite threatened.  Total west coast population in 2011 was under 2300 birds, breeding at only 28 sites. The Los Angeles County winter population had fluctuated in recent years from 200 to about 350 birds, concentrated exclusively in only seven roosting locations, of which Malibu Lagoon is one. So chances are that the roosting flock of Snowies which people perpetually saunter through comprises about 20% of their total LA County population, and about 3% of the total west coast population. Compare that to the millions of humans populating the same area and you’ll see what these tiny birds are up against. People need to be more careful and – when informed – are more careful.

Stacey: professional sign hanger. (C.Almdale (3/15/12)

So the fence and the signs inform the public while setting aside a small area for the birds, a place where we hope they can get a bit of shut-eye. The current plan is to leave the enclosure up until October 1 and see what happens. Keep an eye on the enclosure: in the past, quite a bit of vegetation began reappearing within a few weeks, demonstrating that without foot traffic and beach cleaning, it could actually be a real habitat.   [Chuck Almdale]

Completed fence, pier in background. Note lack of vegetation. (C.Almdale (3/15/12)