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MONTHLY SPEAKERS

MONTHLY SPEAKERS

APRIL 2024 - "BIRDS EYE VIEW: LIFE OF A SNOWY PLOVER"

Speaker: Cynthia Hartley, Shorebird Recover Lead, Ventura Audubon

Date: April 9th, 2024 at 7:00pm

Location:  Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003

Program Description:  Join us for an inside look at the life of a western snowy plover. We have been using field cameras as an important part of our monitoring program on Ormond Beach.  Trail cameras capture candid moments we never see when shy nesting plovers know humans are watching with binoculars. Tonight, we unveil the dynamics of neighbor relations between plovers and other dune species such as least terns and horned larks, discover how nests withstand wind events, learn about common nest predators, and explore the challenges posed by coastal flooding. We will also witness the beautiful moments of nests hatching. We also are fortunate to have a number of banded snowy plovers nesting on Ormond, so we can track them each year. We will see where these birds come from, and talk about their trials and tribulations. Discover the origins of these remarkable birds and engage in enlightening discussions about their triumphs and struggles. Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to unravel the mysteries of snowy plover life with us.

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Speaker Bio: Cynthia Hartley brings 3 decades of experience and dedication to her work protecting least terns and snowy plovers at Ormond Beach. She has a BA in microbiology from UCSB and an MS in Geographic Information Systems from UMD. She began doing winter plover surveys in the 1990's under the direction of former VAS Conservation Chair Reed Smith, who taught her nest monitoring. In 2008 she began doing nest monitoring after being granted a USFWS recovery permit for snowy plovers and least terns. Since 2015, she has spearheaded and led the Shorebird Recovery Program. This work prioritizes habitat protection, nest monitoring, and community engagement, significantly advancing conservation at Ormond Beach. 

This program is available via Zoom only.

This program can be attended in person at

THE POINSETTIA PAVILION

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