Coastal Visitors: View Seabirds at a Safe Distance

As human populations increase, more people are moving to coastal areas. This migration is increasing the number of people who interact with the marine environment and wildlife every day. Nature tourism activities such as wildlife viewing from aircrafts, boats, kayaks or land, including wildlife photography and videography have the potential to disrupt breeding, feeding, nesting, roosting, young-rearing and mating rituals or otherwise harm wildlife.

You can help protect seabirds by raising your awareness of seabirds and gaining a greater understanding of the places they go and the food they eat.

Breeding and roosting seabirds, particularly those that nest or roost on cliffs or offshore rocks are highly sensitive to our actions. When you get too close to seabirds that are nesting or resting seabirds can be scared away from their nests or chicks, for a few minutes or even a few days! This sort of disturbance leaves eggs or chicks exposed to predators. In some cases, disturbances can cause complete breeding failure of a seabird colony, in which no chicks survive. Disturbances can harm the long-term health and survival of affected marine species. When coupled with changing oceanic conditions and other human-induced stressors, this can harm seabird populations.

Protecting wildlife is one of the sanctuary's top priorities. Take extra care on coastal trails and be sure to check out our nesting colony map when planning your trips. Be "seabird safe" and help California's wildlife thrive!

Last Updated on: Wed, February 15, 2012