But other groups aren’t doing as well. Diving ducks such as surf scoters and common goldeneyes have dropped in number across open waters in the North Bay and Central Bay.
At the same time, the populations of shorebirds like sandpipers and curlews have declined baywide, signaling that tidal flats and shallow-water habitats need more protection and restoration.
“The decline definitely raises concerns about the amount and quality of our tidal flats and the other habitats that they depend on,” Wood said.
Local restoration projects are already showing what’s possible. The Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project, once an army airfield, is now a 650-acre refuge supporting 100 bird species, including endangered ridgway’s rails and threatened Western snowy plovers.
Other success stories featured on the website include the South Bay Salt Pond, Sears Point, and Sonoma Baylands restorations. Since 2017, more than 7,800 acres have been restored using funds from Measure AA, approved by Bay Area voters to support wetland recovery.
“Birds are so tightly linked to habitat health,” Wood said. “When we invest in on-the-ground conservation that’s guided by science, we see the positive results. And that is really impactful. With our long-term monitoring, we can see these diverse bird communities coming back and thriving. So that’s pretty exciting,” he added.
Foraging dowitchers at Tubbs restoration site. (Courtesy of Beth Huning)
Healthy wetlands don’t just benefit wildlife. They filter pollutants from water, reduce flood risks, and buffer shorelines against storms — while offering people recreation and access to nature.
The website lists over 30 concrete actions — from building island nesting habitats to expanding long-term monitoring and public-private partnerships — aimed at protecting birds and improving ecosystem health.
“The more that people learn about these birds and have an awareness about their role in the environment, the better we will be able to protect these populations and ensure that we have thriving bird populations in the future.”