wildlife – Alameda Point Environmental Report

Harbor seals make use of commercial dock in Seaplane Lagoon

Over the years, harbor seal observers on the former Alameda Point Harbor Seal Monitors Facebook page often asked, “Do we need another harbor seal float?” It appears the seals have provided their own answer.

December is when the numbers of harbor seals start increasing at Alameda Point in anticipation of the winter herring spawning in the vicinity. The influx of seals leads to overcrowding on the specially built float near the ferry maintenance facility and Bay Trail. It has been happening since the harbor seal float was deployed in the summer of 2016. Again this December, the float has been fully occupied with as many as 75 seals (verified by numbering a printed photo) during part of the day and not an inch to spare.

Harbor seals arriving at Alameda Point this December found an alternative spot to the overcrowded float when they ventured into the nearby Seaplane Lagoon. Their additional haul-out location is on a plastic commercial dock owned by Saildrone, the maker of autonomous battery-powered boats capable of gathering marine scientific data around the world. Saildrone vessels, manufactured in a hangar on West Tower Avenue, can often be seen moored in their leased space in the Seaplane Lagoon.

Handling Alameda’s beach erosion problem

The City of Alameda had just endorsed concept designs to address sea level rise for its north shore, when recent storms shifted attention to the south shore.

The erosion of sand from our shoreline yet again raises an important question that the city is not considering in its adaptation planning: Should maintaining the beach be the primary objective in dealing with sea level rise and increasing powerful storms?

On the shelf sits a 1981 environmental assessment by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) that could help answer the question. A hardcopy is located in the reference section of the Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak Street.

Best time to view the harbor seals at Alameda Point

Late autumn and early winter is a great time to view harbor seals from the Bay Trail along Enterprise Park at Alameda Point.

It is the only place on San Francisco Bay where harbor seals can be easily observed from a public trail. The floating dock offers a visual connection with a timid and seldom-seen marine mammal, which is often mistaken for the gregarious attention-loving sea lions at San Francisco’s Pier 39.

New shoreline landscaping is benefiting wildlife

The landscaping next to the Encinal Boat Ramp restrooms has added eye appeal for humans, while providing sources of food and shelter for wildlife. Bugs, bees, and birds come and go through the seasons, taking advantage of the mulch-covered ground and different shrubs and flowers. This area and the adjacent dune and beach were enhanced by the East Bay Regional Park District in 2020.

Taking a closer look at the activity in this micro habitat reveals life that may not be readily apparent or appreciated.

What’s on the menu for wildlife?

Wildlife spend a great deal of time looking for food. This photo essay features photos from 2020 showing some of the food sources local wildlife rely on for survival.

Continue reading “What’s on the menu for wildlife?”

Marine Conservation, Wildlife, and Recreation Area proposed for General Plan

The City of Alameda is in the process of updating its General Plan. The current draft of the updated plan draws attention to wildlife habitat, a welcome addition. However, it misses the largest contiguous wildlife habitat in all of Alameda – that is, the waterway on the south side of Alameda Point.

To address this oversight, a proposal supported by stakeholders listed below has been submitted to the City recommending a policy that brings together both the habitat values and the recreational values of this area. The proposal calls for designating the area as the Alameda Point Marine Conservation, Wildlife, and Recreation Area. This area includes the deepwater ship channel, the ship harbor, the harbor extending to the mudflat and beach, and the rock walls and rocky shoreline.

This waterway hosts a complex web of life, from the creatures and vegetation living in the seabed sediment and on the rock walls and rocky shoreline, to the fish, marine mammals and birds that depend on it for food, resting, reproducing and raising offspring. This waterway also is popular with non-motorized water sports enthusiasts. It is unique among the open space areas of Alameda and deserves special recognition not only because of its multiple values to the community, but also because “water” is part of Alameda’s identity. Continue reading “Marine Conservation, Wildlife, and Recreation Area proposed for General Plan”