Western Grebe Rescued as Seabirds in Distress Are Found Along the Southern California Coast
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew responded to a stranded Western Grebe and transported the bird for emergency care as distressed and deceased grebes are found along the Southern California coast.
Western Grebe in distress at La Jolla Cove, September 2026. Photo courtesy of submitted wildlife report.
Seabird Alert: Western Grebes in Distress Along the Southern California Coast
Wildlife Jewels is asking beachgoers to be on the lookout for Western Grebes in distress along the Southern California coast.
Over the past two weeks, our team has encountered several distressed and deceased grebes along the coast. Western Grebes are highly adapted to life on the water and rarely come onto land. A grebe sitting or lying on the beach is likely in serious distress and needs help as soon as possible.
A Western Grebe Rescue at La Jolla Cove
Wildlife Jewels’ Rescue Crew recently received a report of a Western Grebe stranded at La Jolla Cove and immediately responded, transporting the bird for emergency wildlife care.
Reports like this are especially important because stranded seabirds may already be severely weakened by the time they reach shore. Birds affected by starvation may appear lethargic, unusually still, weak, thin, or unable to return to the water.
Western Grebes Belong on the Water
Western Grebes are striking aquatic birds adapted for life on the water. During a Wildlife Jewels EYES® monitoring survey at San Elijo Lagoon in April 2026, we photographed a Western Grebe swimming on the water and behaving normally.
The contrast is important: seeing a grebe swimming on the water is expected, while finding one stranded on a beach is an important warning sign.
Western Grebe at San Elijo Lagoon during a Wildlife Jewels EYES® survey, April 2026. © Wildlife Jewels® by Azi Sharif
What to Do if You Find a Grebe on the Beach
If you encounter a Western Grebe or other seabird stranded or in distress:
Report the bird immediately.
Keep people and dogs a safe distance away.
If safe, remain nearby and keep the bird in sight until a wildlife responder arrives.
Do not chase, handle, feed, or attempt to return the bird to the water.
Early detection and response can make a critical difference.
Report Wildlife in Distress
Wildlife Jewels monitors reports of injured, distressed, entangled, and deceased wildlife along the Orange County and San Diego County coastlines and coordinates response within the scope of our wildlife rescue programs.
Report Wildlife to Wildlife Jewels
Wildlife Jewels® EYES® + Rescue Crew
Monitoring wildlife. Identifying threats. Responding when wildlife needs help.
Learn about Wildlife Jewels EYES and ways you can get involved!
Learn about Wildlife Jewels Rescue and ways you can help!
Meet Opal the Western Gull
Meet Opal, the Western Gull chick, when she was just about a week old. 🤍
We’ve spent countless hours in the field observing and helping protect Opal and her family since she was still an egg. This photograph was taken in June 2026. 💜
Watching Opal grow from a tiny chick into the beautiful fledgling she is today has been incredibly special—and a reminder of why every effort to protect vulnerable wildlife matters.
Opal is now one of the precious wild lives featured in our Jewels of La Jolla educational art collection, celebrating the remarkable wildlife that makes this coastline so magical. ✨
Image: Opal, Western Gull chick, June 2026, La Jolla, CA. © Wildlife Jewels® | Photo by Azi Sharif
Wildlife Jewels’ World Ocean Day Wildlife Walk, La Jolla
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
🛟 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: Blog Updates
Wildlife Jewels Rescue Blog Updates
Community Beach Cleanup and the Moving Encounter with an Entangled Gull at Corona del Mar State Beach
On Sunday December 15th, Wildlife Jewels organized and hosted a community beach clean-up in Corona Del Mar State Beach and king tides exploration walk at little corona del mar tide pools. During the event, we encountered a beautiful Gull with one foot missing and the other entangled in fishing line. As we wrapped up, the Gull flew towards us, landing nearby, almost as if seeking help. This unforgettable moment was a powerful reminder of the devastating impact debris has on our precious wildlife.
Community Beach Cleanup and the Moving Encounter with an Entangled Gull at Corona del Mar State Beach December 15th at Corona del Mar State Beach
On Sunday, December 15th, Wildlife Jewels hosted a community guided educational beach cleanup at Corona del Mar State Beach, paired with a King Tides exploration walk at the Little Corona del Mar tide pools. This event was part of our Sweep for Wildlife program, an initiative under our Ocean Conservation efforts that focuses on cleaning beaches while educating the community about native wildlife, the threats posed by debris, and actionable steps to protect them.
A Day of Learning and Discovery
During the educational segment, we highlighted the increased number of seabirds and gulls observed during recent wildlife monitoring walks at Crystal Cove Beach and Corona del Mar State Beach. These monitoring efforts aim to shed light on the challenges marine life face due to human activities, especially debris like fishing lines.
A Heartbreaking Encounter
Shortly after our walk, one of our volunteers noticed a beautiful gull with one missing foot and another foot tightly entangled in fishing line. Concerned participants observed and photographed the bird as she struggled. As the cleanup wrapped up, the gull flew towards our group and landed nearby, almost as if she was seeking help.
It was a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact marine debris has on wildlife. This moment deeply resonated with our team and volunteers, driving home the urgency of our mission. Over the past months, our wildlife monitoring efforts have documented a concerning increase in gulls with missing feet or fishing-line injuries. These injuries can be preventable with greater awareness and action to address the root cause.
A Call to Action
Every animal matters. This event reinforced why community involvement is vital in reducing marine debris and protecting wildlife. We encourage everyone to keep an eye out for injured and entangled wildlife and report sightings as soon as possible.
To report a distressed Wildlife Contact:
Santa Barbara (805) 681-1080 (Santa Barbara Wildlife Network)
Orange County (714) 374 - 5587 Wetlands & Wildlife Center or Orange County Animal Control 714-935-6848
Orange County Animal Control after hours (949)644-3717
Los Angeles (310) 514- 2573
San Diego (800) 541- 7325
To Join our wildlife monitoring and rescue group to help detect and report distressed wildlife, sign up HERE!
Community Beach Cleanup and the Moving Encounter with an Entangled Gull at Corona del Mar State Beach December 15th at Corona del Mar State Beach
Fishing Gear
Every day, countless seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals suffer injuries or lose their lives due to entanglement in fishing lines and hooks. This includes the tragic consequence of swallowing fishing hooks.
Hooks and lines caught in debris can lead to devastating entanglements for animals, causing injuries to legs, wings, and beaks of birds. A single hook caught in a beak or mouth can be devastating leading to starvation and death.
Thanks to the dedication of our participants, we were able to locate and remove fishing lines and at least one fishing hook during our clean-up in Corona Del Mar. This debris poses a significant threat to seabirds and shorebirds, especially as lines and hooks become ensnared in branches and seaweed along the shoreline— where these birds search for food.
By picking up debris, even just one fishing hook, you are making a difference saving wildlife!
Wildlife Jewels King Tides Sweep and Learn for Wildlife walk in Corona Del Mar! December 15, 2024
Sadly, we also encountered a beautiful Gull who was missing one foot, with the other tightly wrapped in a fishing line. Concerned volunteers observed her at the start of the event. To our surprise, as we wrapped up the cleanup, she flew towards our group, landed nearby, and watched us as if she was asking for help. Witnessing this was a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact marine debris has on our precious wildlife. Over the past few months, we've observed a significant increase in the number of gulls with missing feet and/or entangled in fishing line during our coastal wildlife monitoring efforts. Every animal matters, and it’s a call to action for all of us to help protect them.
One of our dedicated volunteers spotted a precious bird with one missing foot and the other entangled in fishing line.
December 15th 2024, Corona del Mar State Beach
Wildlife Jewels continues to document seabird entanglements in La Jolla, particularly at Point La Jolla, as birds face fishing gear and other pressures.