Snowy Plover Traditional Geocache

Habitat

Western Snowy Plovers are small shorebirds that occur primarily on sandy beaches and intertidal areas of marine and estuarine habitats, but also occur in some inland areas such as salt evaporator ponds, riverbeds, lakes, and ponds. Along the Pacific Coast, Snowy Plovers are distributed on the mainland and offshore islands from southern Washington to Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Breeding Season

The plover's breeding season runs from March through September. During the breeding season, Snowy Plovers typically establish nest sites in non-vegetated areas of open sandy beaches and estuaries. In the Monterey Bay area they nest on beaches, levees, slough peninsulas and islands, and in dry salt pond beds from April through August. Snowy plovers may remain at the breeding location during the non-breeding period, or migrate to other areas. They feed on an assortment of terrestrial invertebrates, including brine flies, and are often seen foraging with a variety of other shorebirds, particularly during low tide cycles.

Loss of Nesting Habitat

Widespread loss of nesting habitat has resulted in significant declines of this species. These declines are attributed to a variety of disturbances including development in coastal areas, off-road vehicles, feral and uncontrolled domestic animals and perdition from avian and mammalian predators.

Their habit of nesting on sandy marine beaches has brought them into constant contact with humans using these areas for recreation. The increase in nesting populations at salt ponds and other inland areas is likely opportunistic and may compensate somewhat for increased human disturbance at the coastal nesting sites.

Why is Bowser not Allowed on the Beach?

Dogs are allowed and welcome at the cache site as noted by the this cache's attributes. However, many of Monterey County's beaches are closed to our K9 friends. This is because uncontrolled dogs can be disruptive to the endangered Snowy Plover nesting ground. A Snowy Plover will permanently abandon a nest leaving unhatched eggs if disturbed.

Note to the Handicapped

The cache is accessable to the Handicapped. The distance from parking and the elevation changes require that the cacher be in reasonable physical condition.

Thank you.

Photos - Callie Bowdish
Original Cache Container - X-Ray Tech - "Let Me Give You A Little Cache"
05/08 Replacement Cache Container - el Jim Industries
09/09 Cache Container Replacement - Roanq
09/10 Replacement Cache Container(again) - el Jim Industries