On May 27–29, 2025, Tijuana Slough (California, USA) and Estero de Punta Banda (Baja California, Mexico) became the stage for something historic: the 1st Binational Light-footed Ridgway’s Rail Workshop & Annual Survey.

The Light-footed Ridgway’s Rail (Rallus obsoletus levipes) is one of North America’s most elusive birds. Endangered and highly dependent on coastal salt marshes, its populations have long been threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and human disturbance. Despite their critical status, few people ever see these secretive rails.

Biodiversity is not a list of species of a given area; nor is it how many of each species are present; nor is it something we can measure regarding the state of the environment, its fragility, or its resilience.

As a follow-up to the Punta Banda Conservation Alliance’s meeting with Councilwoman Daniella Salgado on April 12, PROFEPA installed the first set of four new signs prohibiting ATVs and other disturbances along Lengueta Arenosa on April 17, 2025.

The steering committee of the Punta Banda Conservation Alliance has been meeting regularly to address conservation challenges related to All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) traffic on the beaches of Lengueta Arenosa (“The Spit”).

A recent find of an active Snowy Plover nest on Lengueta Arenosa has heralded the beginning of the 2025 nesting season!

A message from local scientist Dr. Omar Clay, on pollution in Ensenada Bay and effects on local wildlife and seafood:

Have you walked the beach and noticed a sea lion struggling to move or an increase in the number of dead pelicans lately? If so, you are not alone. Punta Banda, along with most of coastal California is experiencing the downstream consequences of a process known as eutrophication. As a result of eutrophication, domoic acid poisoning is impacting our marine wildlife and if you are someone who consumes a lot of shellfish (e.g. mussels) it could impact you as well.

The Punta Banda Conservation Alliance is excited to form a partnership in conservation efforts with the Ejido Esteban Cantu (Ejido). The Ejido has set aside many thousands of acres on the Punta Banda peninsula which are managed sustainably for hunting, gathering, and other activities. This large backcountry area is called an "UMA" which roughly translates to "Wildlife Management Area".

The Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius), a raptor known for its distinctive dimorphism and widespread presence across North America, has made an unexpected impression in the wetlands of Bahía de San Quintín, Baja California. Known for wintering as far south as Central America and sometimes even reaching Colombia and Venezuela, this species typically breeds in more northern regions. However, in recent years, scientists have uncovered successful nesting in one of the southernmost parts of its breeding range—San Quintín Bay.

The snowy plover, one of the most charming inhabitants of the Punta Banda peninsula, just wrapped a successful breeding season, helped by a group of trained and dedicated volunteers. The volunteers provided monitoring, outreach, and protection, allowing these delightful but vulnerable little birds the time and safety they need to hatch their young.

This year marked a highly successful breeding season for the Least Tern at Punta Banda Estero. Pro Esteros staff, along with dedicated volunteers, undertook significant efforts to prepare the habitat for these small migratory birds, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for their nesting.

The Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus levipes) is a bird species protected in both Mexico and the United States. From 2016 to present, researchers studied the nesting habits and challenges faced by this species in the Estero de Punta Banda (Estero) in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The study revealed crucial information about their nests, egg numbers, and hatching success, while also uncovering a hidden threat: the invasive Atlantic ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa).

In late June of 2024, the California Least Tern chicks began hatching! And Pro Esteros biologists have been banding them as part of a crucial monitoring program for this endangered species.

Punta Banda Strong, initiated by Gary Woodruff, is a community-driven litter removal initiative focused on enhancing environmental and human well-being. We would like to have contests and prizes to help encourage people to participate, similar to what Punta Banda Strong has done in previous years, but are currently in need of someone to lead and organize this effort. We are actively seeking a dedicated individual to assist in promoting this valuable community program on behalf of the Punta Banda Conservation Alliance.