Grunion will be active on area beaches this week (Wednesday through Saturday, August 5-8), roughly during the hours of 10pm and 1am, following the nocturnal high tide. The small, silvery grunion tend to spawn on wide, gently sloping beaches such as Silver Strand, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores, and Del Mar. California law allows the taking of grunion in summer (except in those areas classified as ecological preserves) by those possessing a state fishing license. The grunion must be caught by the hands only, and should be eaten (not wasted). Additional grunion information can be obtained by visiting www.grunion.org.
Various Sandpipers are now being seen in considerable numbers within San Diego County's coastal wetland habitats and along the ocean beaches. Some have just arrived from the north; others are juveniles that have bred locally. You'll find sanderlings and willets scurrying along the wet sand on the beaches. Several other members of the sandpiper family can be found in mudflat areas such as the Tijuana River Estuary, the south end of San Diego Bay, the San Diego River flood channel near Sea World, and the margins of most North County lagoons.
