Coastal preserve
Point Reyes National Seashore
California, USA
Where two marine regions meet on the California coast, Point Reyes draws an extraordinary variety of birds, from seabird colonies to rare migrants.
Where currents meet
Point Reyes sits where the cool waters of two marine regions meet. Its estuaries, lagoons, mudflats and headlands offer a wide range of habitats along 160 km of shoreline.
Why it matters for birds
Close to half of all bird species known in North America have been recorded here. Common murres nest on the rocks below the lighthouse. Shorebirds and waterfowl gather in the esteros and lagoons. The threatened western snowy plover nests on its beaches.
A center for research
Long-term bird research here began in the 1960s. Point Blue Conservation Science, founded as the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, continues to study birds and coastal ecosystems in the area.
Visiting
The historic lighthouse and the Chimney Rock trail are popular viewpoints for seabirds and migrating whales. Some beaches close seasonally to protect nesting plovers.
Get involved
Visited, studied or worked at this site? Share your observations or photos with us.