Threatened and Endangered Species

Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus)

The Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover is federally listed as threatened. The western snowy plover is a small, pale-colored shorebird. It is about 6 inches long and weighs between 1.2 to 2 ounces.  Plovers nest in sandy or gravelly substrates such as sand dunes and forage for invertebrates on wet, sandy shorelines and receding lake or estuary margins. Its breeding season is from mid-March though mid-September. Plover nests usually contain three eggs in shallow depressions, which are camouflaged to look like sand.  Both parents share the nesting responsibilities, but once chicks hatch the male is left to raise the brood. The male leads the chicks to food as well as warning the chicks to hide when predators come near. Adults also will do broken wing displays to lure predators away from the nest or brood. The primary predators of snowy plovers at the refuge include nonnative red foxes, cats, skunks, northern harriers, kestrels, ravens, and crows. Other potential threats to nesting success include high winds, storm surges, domestic dogs, and crushing by pedestrians. For more information, download the Snowy Plover Brochure (1.42 MB pdf).

Smith’s Blue Butterfly (Euphilotes enoptes smithi)

Smith’s blue butterfly is federally listed as endangered. It is found in coastal dune scrub and coastal sage scrub plant communities in Monterey County; the Refuge represents the northern limit of the species' range.  Both the larval and adult stages of Smith’s blue butterfly rely on coast buckwheat and seacliff buckwheat host plants for food.  Smith's blue butterflies have a wingspan of just under an inch. The males are bright blue on top with the bottom being light gray with black dots and a band of orange marks near the outer edge of the hind wings. The females are brown on top with a band of orange marks across the hind wings.  Adults are active from early June to September with individuals living for only one week.  The butterflies travel at a maximum of only 200 feet from where they were born, therefore they need to have patches of buckwheat close together. The larvae get protection from spiders and parasitic wasps from ants; in return the larvae excrete a sugary substance for the ants to eat.

Monterey Gilia (Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria)

Monterey Gilia is a federally listed endangered species found only along Monterey Bay.  It is found in coastal sand dunes and openings in maritime chaparral that are sheltered from the wind. It is a small plant from two to six inches tall with sticky hairs, a basal rosette of leaves, and tiny purple flowers.  Blooming time is from April through June. Threats to the species include small mammal herbivory, loss of habitat because of development and sand mining, and invasion by nonnative species.

Monterey Spineflower (Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens)

The Monterey spineflower is an annual herb in the buckwheat family, and is federally listed as threatened. The spineflower exists near the coast in northern Monterey County and southern Santa Cruz County. On the refuge it is found on open, sandy patches on active dunes and in dune scrub communities. The spineflower germinates during the winter months and flowers from April through June.  Threats to the Monterey spineflower include loss of habitat as a result of development, and invasion by nonnative species, especially common ice plant.

Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The steelhead is federally listed as threatened. Steelhead may be present in small numbers in the Salinas River and the Salinas River Lagoon.  The National Marine Fisheries Service has designated the Salinas River Basin as critical habitat for the steelhead. Suitable habitat for steelhead is greatly limited in the Salinas River system, in part because yearly flows in the lower reaches of the river are extremely variable and water temperatures are inhospitably high during low-flow periods, and also because the migration required to reach upstream spawning and rearing habitats is excessively long.

California Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

The California Brown Pelican is federally listed as endangered. It is a large bird often seen flying along the coast in groups searching for fish.  After they spot the fish they will dive into the water to catch their prey.  Pelicans catch primarily mackerel, sardines, and anchovies.  During the nonbreeding season, the central California coast, including the refuge, provide important communal roosting sites. Historic threats to the California brown pelican include loss of nesting habitat, disturbance of nesting and roosting sites, egg harvesting, and the use of DDT, which reduced eggshell strength; pelicans were also killed by fishermen.