Snowy plovers saved from precarious cliff near the Salinas River released back into the wild.

Six endangered snowy plovers were released back into the wild on Aug. 9, more than a month after their eggs were rescued from the edge of a cliff.

According to SPCA Monterey County, biologists with Point Blue Conservation Science and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June spotted the eggs in a nest that was situated precariously on an eroding cliff near the mouth of the Salinas River. The chicks would have been killed in their fragile eggs had the cliff collapsed, the biologists determined, so they took the eggs and brought them to the SPCA.

The eggs hatched more than a week later in an incubator, and the baby snowy plovers were under the care of the SPCA for a month, until they were grown enough to be released along with a rescued killdeer into the wild at Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge.

Snowy plover breeding season continues through September, and the SPCA advises the public when visiting nesting beaches to leave their pets at home and respect the fenced nesting habitat areas. 

“The Pacific Coast population of the Western Snowy Plover has undergone a dramatic decrease largely due to habitat loss, human disturbance and predation,” said Kriss Neuman, Point Blue Principal Ecology and Monterey Bay Program Leader. “The plover is listed as threatened under provisions of the federal Endangered Species Act, which indicates the need for coastal dune and beach restoration and protection along with the valuable work our partners at SPCA Monterey County are doing to support this species.”

The small spotted plover eggs are camouflaged to look like sand. Nests are made up of kelp, driftwood, shells and small rocks.

Those who spot injured or orphaned wild animals in need are asked to call the SPCA at 264-5427 or visit spcamc.org.