Saul Aviles Bernal, a service learning student at CSUMB, participated in the 2026 Heermann's Gulls Outreach project this year. Read his insights about Seaside's unique colony of seabirds.

This summer, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Monterey Audubon Society to help protect Heermann’s Gull fledglings in downtown Seaside. One of the biggest things I took away from volunteering was how easy it is for people and wildlife to cross paths without us really thinking about it. As part of my Civic Action Project at California State University, Monterey Bay, I created the Responsible Wildlife Tourism: A Visitor’s Guide to Monterey County based on this incred

Standing at the edge of Seaside State Beach, I watched Kyan Russell look through the spotting scope to check the little legs of the gulls. I was thrilled to learn he found a banded fledgling! Wow, a tiny success. This year’s new Heermann's Gulls of Seaside project included monitoring, outreach, fledging safety, and banding. This rare colony emphasizes collaboration with community science.

A shared passion for wildlife conservation untes CSUMB students Aidan Randall and Maxwell Frantz. They've teamed up to monitor the Seaside Heermann's Gulls. Their work blends rooftop observations, GoPro footage, and drone surveys to track nest locations, chick development, and interactions with neighboring Western Gull colonies.