Habitat for Endangered Least Tern Restored at Carlsbad Lagoon

Habitat for endangered least tern restored at Carlsbad lagoon

Crushed oyster shells and curved roofing tiles are being spread this week to protect the nests of California least terns, a rare migratory bird that breeds in the sand near a railroad bridge under construction across the Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad. The California least tern is a white-and-black bird less than 10 inches long that breeds only in a few areas along the bays and lagoons of California and Mexico. Much of its coastal habitat has bee…

As Batiquitos Lagoon track work advances, crews restore nesting site for least terns

A SANDAG construction worker spreading crushed oyster shells during a restoration project at the nesting site for the California least terns at Batiquitos Lagoon, Dec. 9, 2025.(Carolyne Corelis)As crews continue work on double-tracking the rail line over the Batiquitos Lagoon, they are also restoring a critical nesting site for endangered California least terns.The lagoon site is one of the most successful nesting sites for the migratory ground-…