waterbirds

Open-File Report 2026–1064

Ecosystems Mission Area—Land Management Research Program and Species Management Research Program

Executive Summary

This report summarizes waterbird and water quality monitoring efforts by the San Francisco Bay Bird
Observatory between September 2024 and May 2025 at 82 ponds within the South Bay Salt Pond

Executive Summary

The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory (SFBBO) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats through science and outreach.

ABSTRACT

Historically, San Francisco Bay supported the largest salt pond complex on the Pacific coast of North America, and these areas have been used by large numbers of migrating and wintering waterbirds for more than a century.

Executive Summary

The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (SBSPRP) is restoring over 15,000 acres of former salt evaporation ponds to a mix of tidal marsh and ponded wetland habitats.

FINAL REPORT

Suggested citation: Burns, G. 2022. South Bay Salt Pond Waterbird Surveys: September – May 2022. Report prepared for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

REVISED FINAL REPORT

Suggested citation: Van Schmidt, Nathan D. 2023. South Bay Salt Pond Waterbird Surveys: September 2022–May 2023. Report prepared for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

Abstract

The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project aims to restore many former salt production ponds, now managed for wildlife and water quality, to tidal marsh.

San Francisco Bay supports thousands of breeding waterbirds annually and historically has hosted large populations of American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), and Forster’s terns (Sterna forsteri).

A yearly snapshot of Project milestones and assessment of progress toward meeting restoration, public access and flood management goals

This report conveys the results of the 2005 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

This report conveys the results of the 2006 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

This report conveys the results of the 2007 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

This report conveys the results of the 2008 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

This report conveys the results of the 2009 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

This report conveys the results of the 2010 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

This report conveys the results of the 2011 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

This report conveys the results of the 2012 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

This report conveys the results of the 2013 nesting waterbird monitoring program, led by the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.