Domesticated dogs and wild birds don’t mix.

That is why the San Diego Audubon Society and Fiesta Island Dog Owners collaborate to avert conflicts between canines and birds in the protected bird area at the San Diego River estuary adjoining Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach.

“We got a grant three years ago to help the City replace the post and rope fencing at the San Diego River Mouth,” said Andrew Meyer, San Diego Audubon Society’s director of conservation. “The San Diego River Mouth is part of an IBA (Important Bird Area) that features coastal wetland, dune, sage scrub, and mudflat habitats.

“Only 10% of habitats like this remain in California, and they are vital to the survival of species like Snowy Plovers, Ridgeway’s Rail, and Salt Marsh Bird’s Beak. We’re supportive because the habitats at the river mouth are (not only) beautiful and valuable – but used by over 100 different bird species every year. The improved fencing will help protect the area and help rangers manage it.”

“Our friends at San Diego Audubon Society are working on a years-long program to protect specific areas of sensitive habitat that border Dog Beach,” noted FIDO in one of the nonprofit’s recent newsletters. “Those areas are sensitive to disturbance, and keeping your dog out of them helps endangered plants and birds, as the area adjoins a birding hot spot in San Diego. Look for the signs when you are at Dog Beach.”

Added FIDO president Carolyn Chase: “We put a blurb in our eNews as a courtesy to inform as many dog owners as possible about what was happening and being planned. We work with SD Audubon also to help clear the tumbleweeds and other invasives in the dog park that impact the restricted areas on Fiesta Island. It’s a great volunteer partnership.”

“It’s been a winding road to get the permits in place to replace the fencing,” noted Meyer adding the City is about to submit a complete permitting package for the project. He added, “We’re partnering with FIDO to help share and improve our message about how dogs (and their owners) can behave themselves best on those trails and on their way out to the Dog Beach area.”

Meyer added the San Diego Audubon Society surveyed the river mouth habitat last month that revealed 13 pairs of the endangered Ridgway’s Rail bird species.

“So the islands in the channel are good habitat for them,” he said while warning, “But the habitat would be much better protected without the predators along the edge, and the disturbance from dogs and humans going upriver.”

Concluded Meyer: “The message we’re sharing with the public is that both of these uses (dog walking, bird watching and conservation) can flourish. We know everyone loves their dogs and Dog Beach. But we want people to know that, just upstream of Dog Beach, there is an important habitat that thousands of birds use every year. And dogs chasing, or disturbing birds, obviously degrades the habitat’s value.”

BARK RANGER EVENT
Every Sunday, San Diego Audubon Society docents set up spotting scopes and an informational booth at the San Diego River estuary. Sunday, May 19 will be an extra-special day as San Diego Audubon Society will hold a “Bark Ranger Kick off Event” from noon-2 p.m. within the trails next to Dog Beach. Find out why this location is one of San Diego’s top five best birding hot spots.
An additional guided walk of the IBA (Important Bird Area) is offered every first and third Sunday from 2-3 p.m. San Diego Audubon Society’s passionate docents will share their knowledge about native and endangered species and the vibrant coastal ecosystem they depend on. Remember to keep yourself, your pets, and your children on the trail at all times to ensure this space stays safe and restful for endangered species.