Since July, we've had fun hosting our Wednesday Seawatch Field Trips. These outings are a great way to practice using spotting scopes and binoculars to train our eyes to look for seabirds and the occasional whale.

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.

Susan Lambert's endearing photograph of a Black Oystercatcher and chick won our photo contest for the cover of "The Sanderling", our annual report. Recently Point Lobos Docent Yvonne Wright wrote an article for fellow docents in the Point Lobos Docent Newsletter. It seemed appropriate to folllow the photograph with an article. Excerpted and adapted below: Look at that bird hammering on the rocks with its bright orange-red bill. If you look closely, you’ll notice its eyes

It's that time of year: the gull chicks are getting too optimistic about their flying abilities. Western Gull happily nesting on a rooftop. When there are fewer rocky coastlines to safely nest on, these opportunistic birds will make do with what is available. Photo: Paul Fenwick On many rooftops in coastal cities around Monterey Bay, Western Gulls have been patiently incubating eggs since around May. Both the males and females incubate the eggs, with the expectant parents anx

Image above: A Heermann's Gull pair watches over their downy chicks in Seaside, CA. Photo from Byron Chin. I know there are technically no "seagulls", but you all know who I'm talking about. There are primarily three locally nesting gull species: the Western Gull is the main species that nests on rooftops around the Monterey Peninsula, Moss Landing, and nearly any bluff or building within a mile of the coast. If you're in Seaside, you'll have the opportunity to see the Heerma