Channel Islands National Park guide · 1 min read
Seabird Colonies and the Bald Eagles' Return
The islands matter a great deal to seabirds, which depend on them for nesting ground. Few places bring together northern and southern species the way this chain does, and no other spot on Earth has that same mix.
Western gulls, Cassin's auklets and Brandt's cormorants nest here in large numbers. The islands also hold the only California brown pelican nesting population on the West Coast of the United States.
Anacapa Island has a significant western gull nesting colony, and you can see it from the Inspiration Point Trail. Gulls and ravens are bolder around people than most birds. When a disturbance startles nesting birds, these two species may seize the moment to snatch eggs and chicks, and some colonies have been wiped out that way. Stay about 100 yards away from nesting areas when you can, so the birds can settle in undisturbed.
Santa Barbara Island, the smallest of the Channel Islands, is home to Scripps's murrelets, and the islands as a whole support the world's largest population of this species. Bald eagles also nest across the islands, where they act as top predators.
Bird watching gets easier with help from the crew. On park boat trips, concessioners search for seabirds, and if you tell a crew member you are interested, they will often help you spot and identify them. The park also offers a bird checklist you can download before your visit. For a look from home, Channel Islands Live offers webcams that show nesting bald eagles and island views, along with interactive broadcasts such as live hikes through a western gull rookery, where participants can talk to rangers and ask questions.
