EYES Field Day in La Jolla with SDSU MEBSA Student Field Observations

Community in action—EYES Field Day observations with SDSU MEBSA students.

Thank you to everyone who joined Wildlife Jewels for our EYES Field Day in La Jolla last Saturday. 🌊👀

EYES™ (Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life™) is a Wildlife Jewels® program that helps detect and protect California’s coastal wildlife by training observers to spot distress, coastal hazards, and environmental threats early—reporting through appropriate pathways when urgent help is needed and collecting observations that support long-term protection.

A special thank you to the SDSU MEBSA students who joined us and collected structured field observations—these field days offer valuable hands-on experience for students who want real-world coastal stewardship training while contributing to wildlife protection.

Thank you as well to the San Diego Sierra Club Seal Society for sharing valuable seal education and respectful viewing guidance.

One powerful reminder from the day: we encountered a Western Gull with a concerning beak injury—exactly the kind of situation EYES volunteers are trained to notice, document, and report so wildlife can get help as quickly as possible.

More EYES Field Days ahead 💙

San Diego State University’s Marine Ecology & Biology Student Association MEBSA’s mission is “to encourage and guide SDSU students and the public toward stewardship and protection of marine wildlife.”

Observed during our EYES™ Field Day with SDSU MEBSA students: a Western Gull with a concerning beak injury—highlighting the importance of careful observation and reporting.

👀 Join EYES™ (Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life)
Become part of our coastal wildlife monitoring community—learn what to look for, how to observe responsibly, and how to report concerns to help keep birds and other coastal wildlife safe.

Learn more at about ways you can protect coastal wildlife at the Wildlife Jewels Resources Page

For La Jolla seal and sea lion viewing guidelines, visit San Diego Seal Society.

🛟 Join the Wildlife Jewel Rescue Crew (observation & reporting only)
Help support local wildlife rescue response by assisting with reporting, coordination, and (for trained, permitted volunteers only, transport support when a bird needs help.)

✨ Together, we can turn wildlife observation into action and help protect the magical Jewels that make our coastline so special.

EYES Community BIRD WALK, National Bird Day JANUARY 2026

Some of the magical Bird Jewels we had the delight of observing included Brandt’s cormorants with their striking turquoise eyes, the adult California brown pelican with sky-blue eyes and a vibrant red throat pouch, and the majestic Black Oystercatcher with its bold orange bill and eye-ring. We also enjoyed the intelligent, charismatic Western gull, the precious Heermann’s gulls, and the elegance of Royal and Elegant terns, crowned with their distinctive head crests.

Photo credit: © Wildlife Jewels® / Azi Sharif

We identified an injured Heermann’s gull, documented what we observed, and reported—reminding us that careful monitoring and timely reporting can help save lives. Every wildlife life is precious. 💙 We will share more about her and the other injured wildlife including 2 entangled sea lions that we spotted during our walk through the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Blog soon.

Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla: Blog Updates

Wildlife Jewels Rescue Blog Updates

Wildlife jewels EYES Field Day: Seals & Sea Stars (Valentine’s Edition)

EYES Field Day: Next Saturday — Join us in La Jolla for our Valentine’s EYES Field Day 💘🌊

EYES Field Day: Seals & Sea Stars (Valentine’s Edition)
Wildlife Jewels + SDSU MEBSA will guide a wildlife-safe shoreline adventure: observe harbor seals from a respectful distance, explore nearby tidepools, and help document sea stars + intertidal life through simple, structured field observations.

✅ Wildlife-safe viewing + tidepool etiquette
✅ Community science + marine stewardship

RSVP required. Reserve your spot HERE.

👀 Join EYES™ (Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life)
Become part of our coastal wildlife monitoring community—learn what to look for, how to observe responsibly, and how to report concerns to help keep birds and other coastal wildlife safe.

Learn more at about ways you can protect coastal wildlife at the Wildlife Jewels Resources Page

For La Jolla seal and sea lion viewing guidelines, visit San Diego Seal Society.

🛟 Join the Wildlife Jewel Rescue Crew (observation & reporting only)
Help support local wildlife rescue response by assisting with reporting, coordination, and (for trained, permitted volunteers only, transport support when a bird needs help.)

✨ Together, we can turn wildlife observation into action and help protect the magical Jewels that make our coastline so special.

EYES Observation — King Tides (Jan 5) at La Jolla Cove © Wildlife Jewels

Some of the magical Bird Jewels we had the delight of observing included Brandt’s cormorants with their striking turquoise eyes, the adult California brown pelican with sky-blue eyes and a vibrant red throat pouch, and the majestic Black Oystercatcher with its bold orange bill and eye-ring. We also enjoyed the intelligent, charismatic Western gull, the precious Heermann’s gulls, and the elegance of Royal and Elegant terns, crowned with their distinctive head crests.

Photo credit: © Wildlife Jewels® / Azi Sharif

We identified an injured Heermann’s gull, documented what we observed, and reported—reminding us that careful monitoring and timely reporting can help save lives. Every wildlife life is precious. 💙 We will share more about her and the other injured wildlife including 2 entangled sea lions that we spotted during our walk through the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Blog soon.

Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla: Blog Updates

Wildlife Jewels Rescue Blog Updates

King Tides Along the La Jolla Shoreline — Wildlife Jewels EYES Observations

Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla - King Tides_ Monday January 5th, Point La Jolla

EYES Observation — King Tides (Jan 5) at La Jolla Cove

During our recent EYES™ King Tides observations along the La Jolla shoreline, we watched the shoreline transform as extra-high water washed over much of the usual haul-out beach.. Some of the precious sea lions found little sun-warmed pockets on the rocks, while others moved like shimmering jewels in the water—gliding and circling by the rocks, rising and dipping with the swell.

King tides are the highest high tides of the year and offer a glimpse of how rising seas can shrink coastal habitat, leaving less dry space for wildlife along the shore.

We also observed a sea lion entangled in fishing net; sadly, she was in a location that wasn’t safely accessible for responders at the time. During king tides, reduced haul-out space can add extra pressure for injured wildlife.

Admire from a distance—giving sea lions space helps them rest and stay safe.

👀 Join EYES™ (Engage Your Eyes for Sea Life)
Become part of our coastal wildlife monitoring community—learn what to look for, how to observe responsibly, and how to report concerns to help keep birds and other coastal wildlife safe.

Learn more at about ways you can protect coastal wildlife at the Wildlife Jewels Resources Page

For La Jolla seal and sea lion viewing guidelines, visit San Diego Seal Society.

🛟 Join the Wildlife Jewel Rescue Crew (observation & reporting only)
Help support local wildlife rescue response by assisting with reporting, coordination, and (for trained, permitted volunteers only, transport support when a bird needs help.)

✨ Together, we can turn wildlife observation into action and help protect the magical Jewels that make our coastline so special.

EYES Observation — King Tides (Jan 5) at La Jolla Cove © Wildlife Jewels

Some of the magical Bird Jewels we had the delight of observing included Brandt’s cormorants with their striking turquoise eyes, the adult California brown pelican with sky-blue eyes and a vibrant red throat pouch, and the majestic Black Oystercatcher with its bold orange bill and eye-ring. We also enjoyed the intelligent, charismatic Western gull, the precious Heermann’s gulls, and the elegance of Royal and Elegant terns, crowned with their distinctive head crests.

Photo credit: © Wildlife Jewels® / Azi Sharif

We identified an injured Heermann’s gull, documented what we observed, and reported—reminding us that careful monitoring and timely reporting can help save lives. Every wildlife life is precious. 💙 We will share more about her and the other injured wildlife including 2 entangled sea lions that we spotted during our walk through the Wildlife Jewels Rescue Blog soon.

Wildlife Jewels EYES La Jolla: Blog Updates

Wildlife Jewels Rescue Blog Updates