Birds in Feeding Frenzy as Herring Spawn

Hundreds of birds are feasting in spawning areas in Richardson Bay.

 

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Feeding Frenzy in Richardson Bay Dear KAREN, The annual herring spawning event in Richardson Bay is on! Hundreds of birds are in a feeding frenzy within Pacific herring spawning areas and large eelgrass beds. Through the spotting scope, watch Double-crested Cormorants, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, and Western Gulls enjoying the nutritious feast. What makes Richardson Bay such a rich ecosystem for waterbirds? Learn more about Audubon's waterfowl sanctuary and the eelgrass beds that create the perfect habitat for herring spawning events in the stories and videos below.   Keep an eye out for these extraordinary herring runs between now and late March. If you are in the Bay Area, great places to watch are the shorelines of Richardson Bay in Sausalito and Tiburon as well as Richardson and Point Pinole. Please note that the Richardson Bay Audubon Sanctuary is closed to boaters until March 31st. We encourage viewing from shore! Andrea Jones Director of Bird Conservation

Snowy Egret. Photo: Paige Fernandez

Video: How Audubon Protects 20,000 Waterbirds in Richardson Bay Each Year Each year, 20,000 waterfowl and shorebirds rest and feed in the Richardson Bay Audubon Center's 900-acre waterbird sanctuary. This refuge protects migratory waterbirds such as Greater and Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Ducks, Bufflehead, Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, Willets, and Marbled Godwits.  Richardson Bay harbors the second-largest eelgrass bed in the San Francisco Estuary. Eelgrass provides refuge, habitat, and food for many marine species. Herring are dependent on eelgrass for spawning. They lay eggs on eelgrass blades and their young are protected within the eelgrass beds as they mature. Watch Video

Photo: Richardson Bay Waterbird Sanctuary

What Happens When Herring Spawn? Each year in winter, tens of thousands of herring migrate from offshore to Richardson Bay to spawn en masse. Nearshore waters flow chalky white with herring milt and eggs. During herring spawning events, birds dive under the water to catch herring or gulp down a mouthful of herring roe which is packed with protein and nutrition.  Read more

Herring Roe on Seaweed in SF Bay. Photo: Casey Arndt

Video: What is Eelgrass? Herring depend on eelgrass for spawning. Eelgrass is an important plant (not a seaweed) that grows submerged or partially floating in the bay. Herring lay eggs on eelgrass leaves and their young are protected within the eelgrass as they mature. During low tides, intertwined eelgrass beds hold moisture like a sponge. Eelgrass is good for climate resilience too! It stores carbon in the sediment and prevents coastal erosion.    Watch "What is Eelgrass?" Video

Eelgrass Beds. Photo: Ingrid Taylar

6 Reasons to Protect Eelgrass Learn more about our eelgrass ecosystem, threats, climate resilience, and how you can help. Download our printable bilingual (Spanish & English) eelgrass fact sheet (created by Kevin Garcia Lopez, Environment for the Americas intern with the support of Pew Charitable Trusts).    Download Eelgrass Fact Sheet (English & Spanish)

Eelgrass Fact Sheet. Photo: Kevin Garcia Lopez

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