Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

Welcome back! This video highlights the reopening of our beach and tide pools. Is the intertidal zone a special place to you? Do you love harbor seals? How do we protect wildlife in the reserve? What about COVID protocols? Here are a few tips.

TIDEPOOLS AND BEACHES AT FITZGERALD MARINE RESERVE TO REOPEN 5/3/21 San Mateo County Parks Director, Nicholas Calderon, has announced that on Monday, May 3, 2021, starting at 8:00am, the tidepools and beaches at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve will reopen to the public. Park Rangers and FFMR Volunteer Naturalists are asking visitors to FMR to observe the following local, state and federal guidelines to keep everyone safe: Stay safe at 6’ apart from those not in your household ...group Stay covered by wearing a face mask when you cannot maintain a 6’ distance from those not in your household group Stay flexible with your plans. We anticipate large crowds at the tidepools upon reopening. If it looks too crowded, plan to visit other beaches and tidepools both north and south of Fitzgerald, or come back another time. Our Volunteer Naturalists are eager to return to the FMR tidepools to help visitors learn about the marine life they are observing. Thank you for your patience and continued support as we work to protect the Reserve’s tidepools and harbor seals as well as limit your risk, and ours, for exposure to Covid-19 while enjoying tidepooling in the amazing rocky intertidal habitat of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. See more

Happy Holidays! Enjoy! RC

A sunrise display above the reserve. Enjoy! RC

In previous years an osprey has visited the reserve. We observed this raptor order take out and find a perch to dine. Osprey have inspired writers and poets. Enjoy! RC

Holdfast mate. This bit of reef wasn't too thrilled about the sticky strength of kelp gripping power! Enjoy! RC

From the archives. Nudibranch color. The natural glow of Hermissenda opalescens and Iridescent Algae. Enjoy! RC

The improbability of Sooty Shearwaters. Enjoy! rC

Harbor seals high five a successful pupping season while watching pelicans dive bombing prey. Enjoy! RC

Spring into summer is an amazing time on our coast. Along with marine life, the area in and around Fitzgerald hosts a variety of raptor species including nesting Peregrine Falcon, Red Tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier and White Tailed Kite. Turkey Vultures like to take a bow once in a while. These scavengers clean things up. Enjoy! RC

Looking for places to go tide pooling while Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is closed? Try Pillar Point/Mavericks Beach just south of Fitzgerald, Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica (north end is best), Rockaway Beach in Pacifica (south end is best), or Bean Hollow State Beach. Low tides right now are early in the morning. Be sure to check the tide tables before you go in order to get the most out of your visit.

Pupping season 2020. Home schooling continued. Enjoy! RC

Happy Earth Day. Enjoy! RC

PUPORAMA! 2020...Home schooling continued...Enjoy! RC

2020...home schooling continued. Seal pup learning to haul out with the ebbing tide. One of our pups continues to bond with Mom and revel in the exposed reef, soon to be nursing when the waves allow Mom a roll free perch! Last bit of umbilical cord on our new seal is visible. ENJOY! RC

2020....Harbor seal home school continues. Pups bond with Mom, hone their periscoping skills and make a splash with a curious local. ENJOY! Be Well! RC

...2020...We now return you to your regular programming...Pups have arrived! Three brand new seal pups have been observed getting home schooled by Moms. An unusually dark coated newbie is learning to navigate the reef and seems to be quite popular with another adult until Mom shows what's what. I will continue to share pinniped updates during our closure. ENJOY! Be Well! RC