Least Tern
The California Least Tern (Sternula antillarum browni), a subspecies of the smallest tern in North America, has experienced a 56% population decline. It has been listed as endangered at both the state and federal levels in the United States since the early 1970s and is now considered a conservation-reliant species. Each summer, California Least Terns form breeding colonies along the Pacific Coast, including in Baja California, Mexico, where it’s subject to Special Protection by official Mexican Standard 059-Semarnat-2010. Conservation efforts currently focus on increasing public awareness, seasonal monitoring, and protecting nesting habitats such as wetlands and public beaches. However, little is known about their breeding activity in the Gulf of California, and their wintering behavior remains largely unknown.
My Story
I began working with the endangered California Least Tern as a nest site monitor with Bolsa Chica Conservancy at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve— motivated by sheer curiosity and a desire to reconnect with nature. As a local, I’ve always considered Bolsa Chica an extraordinary place. Its 1,300 acres of coastal habitat surrounding a saltwater estuary make it the largest remaining wetland in Southern California.
In 2022, I met ornithologist Thomas Ryan at precisely the right time: during his multiyear study with scientists in Mexico to assess The Current Status and Distribution of the Least Tern Breeding in the Gulf of California, México. As I began to follow the birds —and more importantly, meet the people behind the birds— it became clear that the story of the California Least Tern is one of resilience and the interconnectivity of our shared coasts. I’ve photographed over 25 unique nest sites and continue to document the fieldwork in the United States and Mexico.
A note on bird photography ethics: All photographs on the nest site were made under the supervision of permitted scientists. I use a telephoto lens and a blind when necessary.