Seabird Season is in full swing, and we wanted to share the inside scoop! Deep dive into the fascinating details about this busy time of year and how we’re helping our feathered friends, from migration to rehabilitation.

What is Seabird season?

"Seabird season" often refers to the time of year when seabird populations are most visible and active along coastlines, particularly due to migration patterns and breeding behaviors. This season sees large flocks of birds in transit as they either head south to warmer waters or prepare to disperse across the ocean. Seabird seasons are also impacted by food availability, ocean currents, and weather conditions, which influence both breeding success and migratory routes.

What is a natural oil seep and are they common in Santa Barbara?

A natural seep is a spot where hydrocarbons like crude oil or natural gas naturally escape from the Earth’s crust, bubbling up to the surface through cracks in the seabed or rock formations. In the ocean, oil seeps create slicks as the oil floats to the surface, where it can spread and sometimes accumulate on beaches. These seeps are natural releases, unlike oil spills, which result from human activities. The Santa Barbara Channel is home to some of the most active and well-known natural oil seeps in the world. The coal oil seeps near Coal Oil Point, offshore from the Santa Barbara coastline, release thousands of gallons of oil into the ocean daily. Natural seeps are a significant part of the region’s ecosystem and geology, but they also impact local wildlife, including seabirds. The oil from seeps can coat seabirds’ feathers, leading to similar issues as with oil spills, such as loss of buoyancy and insulation. Although natural seeps are not caused by human activities, they still create ecological challenges, and become a primary reason that SBWCN sees so many oiled birds during the Fall and Winter months.

What is the difference between shorebirds and pelagic birds?

Shorebirds, such as plovers, killdeer, and sandpipers, inhabit coastal beaches, marshes, and wetlands, foraging for prey like crustaceans and worms. In contrast, pelagic birds, including fulmars and shearwaters, spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore primarily for breeding. Many seabirds, like terns and gulls, also frequent coastal areas but dive for fish and crustaceans. Both groups are adapted for aquatic life, with features such as webbed feet and waterproof feathers.

What are the biggest challenges for a wildlife center during Seabird Season?

When oil sticks to a bird’s feathers, it clumps and separates them, disrupting waterproofing and insulation, leaving the bird vulnerable to temperature extremes. This exposure can lead to hypothermia or hyperthermia and often gastrointestinal issues from ingesting oil. Oil contamination, common during late fall through early spring due to ocean swells and extreme tides, can cause birds to become stranded, dehydrated, and malnourished. Stranded birds may also suffer from difficult-to-heal abrasions on their webbed feet or keel lesions from prolonged grounding. These birds will need to come into care to survive. Quick rehydration and nourishment are crucial to stabilize birds for washing and reintroducing them to water, where they regain waterproofing before release, a process that requires specialized care with frequent feedings, temperature monitoring, and net-bottom or pool enclosures to aid recovery.

The SBWCN team taking measurements on a Western Gull

What do you do if you see a bird that appears to be oiled?

If you come across a seabird or shorebird that appears to be oiled, first notice if the bird is in the water or on the beach. If the bird is in the water, then please monitor it from afar, take a photo or video if you can, and call our HELPLine or local wildlife center near you. Water rescues can be dangerous and are not advisable. If you find a bird on the beach that is visibly oiled or acting unusual, call our HELPLine for proper rescue instructions and take a photo or video from a distance. Our team can help assess the situation and advise on next steps in either circumstance. Be prepared to help wildlife in need! SBWCN suggests programing your nearest wildlife centers helpline number in your phone. If you need help finding it, you can search using this link.

SBWCN Wildlife HELPLINE: 805-681-1080

Seabird Season

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