Tern with Chick by Rick Lewis

Doc Quack's Wildlife Volunteers

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Wildlife Volunteers Mission Statement

The Wildlife Volunteers are a group of caring people of all ages striving to improve the quality of life for birds and wildlife in the East Bay Regional Park District. We are dedicated to assisting the East Bay Regional Park District’s Stewardship staff with protecting, managing, conserving and enhancing the region’s important scenic and natural resources. Wildlife Volunteers renew their connections to the land through sciences-based, hands-on conservation and resource management activities.

Dave "Doc Quack" Riensche
Wildlife Biologist, Certified Wildlife Biologist ®
docquack@ebparks.org

Volunteer Activities

Check back for more Wildlife Volunteer Events soon!
Scheduled group activities require registration. Register online or call the District’s Reservation Department at 1-888-327-2757 to sign-up at least two weeks before the event. Based on weather conditions or other unseen circumstance, projects may be cancelled.

Colony Caretakers | Rail Rescue Rangers | Shorebird Sanctuary | California Black Rail Habitat Helpers | Riparian Re-Leaf | Habitat Helpers | Quail Rangers | Bird-A-Thon 

Plover Protection Patrol

The Western Snowy Plover is a threatened species protected by law from harm. During this training session, you’ll discover the love of plovers, and then join our volunteer patrol collecting valuable data that aids in the recovery of these special status overwintering birds at Crown Beach. Physical labor is involved with this project.  By participating, you’ll earn your “Plover Protection Patrol” patch. Parent participation is required. 

Instructor:  “Doc Quack”, Certified Wildlife Biologist
                   
Dates & Times:
Saturday, November 16, from 9:00am to 12:30pm

Registration: 
Please call (510) 544-2757 Option 2, or through Online Registration (event# 53502)
Deadline to sign-up is 11/8/2024.

Location(s) & Direction(s):
Classroom training session at Trudeau Training Center, 11500 Skyline Blvd., Oakland

In the field training session at Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda (following the classroom portion)
Exit 880 on 23rd Ave, head west over the Park St. Bridge into Alameda.  Follow Park St. West across the island which dead ends at Shoreline Drive; turn right on Shoreline and park your vehicle near the intersection of Shoreline Drive and Kitty Hawk Road (37°45'30.1"N 122°15'39.2"W or 37.758359, -122.260874).  We will meet across the street from the intersection listed above at the Plover Protection Zone.  

What to Bring:
Outdoor clothing (long pants), waterproof boots (close-toed footwear), gloves, hats, water, and sunscreen. Binoculars, a note pad, clip board and writing instruments.  We typically monitor the plovers, daily for 1.5 to 2 hours during the hightide cycle.

Plover Protection Patrol

Burrowing Owl Buddies

During this hands-on conservation project you’ll discover the “wild side of life”, while helping to build new “owl outposts” for these special status “flying mouse traps” to raise their babies. By participating, you’ll earn your “Burrowing Owl Buddies” patch. Physical labor is involved with this project. Parent participation is required.

Instructor:  “Doc Quack”, Certified Wildlife Biologist

Dates & Times:
Saturday, December 14, from 9:30 to 12:30pm

Registration: 
Please call (510) 544-2757 Option 2, or through Online Registration (event# 53503)
1-(888)-327-2757, option 2, to sign-up”.
Deadline to sign-up is 12/6/2024

Location(s) & Direction(s):
Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland
Directions:  In Oakland, take Hwy 880 north or south to Hegenberger Road in Oakland.  West on Hegenberger Road to Pardee Drive. Right on Pardee Drive to Swan Way. Left on Swan Way to park entrance.  Meet at Martin Luther King Jr.  Meet in the Kingfisher Picnic Area parking lot.

What to Bring:
We recommend the following personal protective items:
Outdoor clothing (long pants), hiking boots (close-toed footwear), gloves, hats, water, and sunscreen.

Burrowing Owl Buddies 16x9

Colony Caretakers

An exciting adventure over land and water to help create nesting habitat for the endangered California Least Tern, Western Snowy Plover and Black Skimmer.  You will add new nesting substrate, remove tern decoys, take systematic measurements of nests, repaint all island marker grids and possibly pull weeds while exploring the new chick protection fence deign up-close. By participating, you’ll earn your “Colony Caretakers” patch.  Physical labor is involved with this project.  All ages are welcome, and parent participation is required.

Instructor: “Doc Quack”, Certified Wildlife Biologist

Dates & Times:  
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 9:30 AM to noon #52805
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 9:30 AM to noon #52806

Registration: 
Please call (510) 544-2757 Option 2, or through Online Registration
Deadline to sign-up is 9/20 for the 9/28 project and 10/4 for the 10/12 project

Location and Direction:
Hayward Regional Shoreline, 3050 West Winton Avenue, Hayward
From Hwy 880, take the West Winton Ave exit.  Follow West Winton towards the Bay (traveling west) and park in the Hayward Shoreline service yard.
 
What to Bring:
We recommend the following personal protective items:
Outdoor clothing (long pants), hiking boots/waterproof (close-toed footwear), gloves, hats, water, and sunscreen.

 

group of people sitting/standing in front of bay with buckets and shovels

Colony Caretakers

Rail rescue rangers logo

Rail-Rescue-Rangers

During this hands-on adventure you’ll help create habitat for the federally and state endangered Ridgway’s Rail. We will remove non-native plants, pick-up trash, and plant wildlife friendly vegetation which will restore the upland areas of the Roemer Bird Sanctuary for rails. Physical labor is involved with this project. By participating, you’ll earn your “Rail Rescue Ranger” patch. Parent participation is required.

group of people with gardening equipment smiling
Rail Rescue Rangers

Instructor:  Dave “Doc Quack” Riensche, Wildlife Biologist   

Saturday, March 23, 2024, 9am to 11:30am #51256

Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary/ Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda
Register for Rail Rescue Rangers

Shorebird Sanctuary

Cancelled due to weather conditions.

An exciting adventure over land and water to create nesting habitat for the threatened Western Snowy Plover awaits you. You will help move bulk sand and shells, pull weeds, thereby crafting ideal/idyllic courtship conditions for breeding plovers, avocets and stilts. By participating, you’ll earn your “Shorebird Sanctuary” patch. Physical labor is involved with this project. Parent participation required.

Instructor:  Dave “Doc Quack” Riensche, Wildlife Biologist   

Saturday, February 10, 2024, noon to 2:30pm #50522

Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland
Register for Shorebird Sanctuary

California Black Rail Habitat Helpers

During this hands-on activity, you’ll create habitat for the State threatened California black rail.  We will remove non-native plants, pick-up trash, clear debris from clogged channels to improve tidal water cycling, and plant wildlife friendly vegetation which restores nesting habitat for the California black rail. By participating, you’ll earn your “Black Rail Habitat Helper” patch. Physical labor is involved with this project. Parent participation is required.

Instructor:  Dave “Doc Quack” Riensche, Wildlife Biologist   

Saturday, January 27, 2023, 9am to 11:30am #50517

Point Pinole, Richmond.
Register for California Black Rail Helpers

group of people with sige, gardening equipment and weeded ice plant smiling
California Black Rail Habitat Helpers

Riparian Re-Leaf

Here is your opportunity to help the park’s wildlife by tending recently planted willow, cottonwood and sycamore trees. Physical labor is involved with this project.  By participating, you’ll earn your “Wetland Partners” patch.   Meet in the overflow parking lot adjacent to the entrance gate kiosk. Parent participation required.
No scheduled events, check back soon. 

Habitat Helpers

During this fun-filled opportunity you’ll discover the “nutty wildlife truths” about oak trees, and help make the world a better place on tree at a time. For your kind act toward nature, you will receive a “Habitat Helpers” patch. Physical labor is involved with this project. Parent participation required.
No scheduled events, check back soon. 

Quail-Rangers

Join in some family fun as we improve the Park’s habitat for the State bird. Physical labor is involved with this project. Each participant will receive a Covey Conservation” patch for planting and creating a safe place for quail to eat, rest and nest. Physical labor is involved with this projects and Parent participation is required.
No scheduled events, check back soon. 

“Bird-A-Thon” – Fund Raising Event

bird a thon logo

Are you interested in participating in an exciting, renewing and rewarding birding adventure while helping to generate funds to support the Wildlife Volunteer Program?  During this “Quest for 101 Birds in a Day” event, you will get “nose to beak” with birds, while visiting several active bird research and restorations sites.  Our dawn to dusk adventure will take us through numerous locations recording the “Feathered Jewels” they contain, while generating tax-deductible donations to meet the mission of protecting and enhancing California least tern and western snowy plover nesting habitat in the District.
No scheduled events, check back soon. 

 

Publications & Reports

Volunteers’ efforts have contributed to these documents listed below.

Riensche, D. L., B. Pearl and S. Ramos. 2023. First successful nesting of Black Oystercatcher among endangered California Least Terns along West Coast of North America. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering.  2023: 100-105 doi:10.17265/2162-5298/2023.03.004

Riensche, D. L. and C.L. Kitting. 2023. Decades of Data for Protected Coastal Riparian Breeding Bird Populations Show Persistent Reduction After Extreme Heat. Havik 2023: Cacophony, Las Positas College, Livermore CA, Pg 214 Full, Cacophany Pg. 214 Full | Havik (havikjournal.wixsite.com)

Riensche, D. L. 2021. Factors influencing the abundance of wintering Western Snowy Plovers at a Public Beach in California. California Fish and Wildlife Journal, Special Human-Wildlife Interactions Issue: 119 – 129.

Riensche, D.L. 2021. California Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus) Response to Marsh Enhancement at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, California. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management 6(3): 143-146.

Riensche, D.L., S.K. Riensche and R.E. Riensche. 2019. Habitat Use, Movement Patterns and Nest Site Selection by Western Pond Turtles (Actinemys Marmorata). Northwestern Naturalist 100:90-101.

Riensche, D.L., C.D. Tutino and L. Koenig. 2019. California Red-Legged Frog Response to Pond Restoration. Western Wildlife 6:45-49.

Riensche, D.L., M. L. Elliott, S.K. Riensche and R.E. Riensche. 2018. Diet Trends of Two Sympatric Terns Breeding in the San Francisco Bay. Western Wildlife 5:53-56.

Riensche, D.L., S.C. Gidre, N. A. Beadle and S.K. Riensche. 2015. Western Snowy Plover Nest Site Selection and Oyster Shell Enhancement. Western Wildlife 2:38-43.

Riensche, D.L., D. A. Bell, L. J. Roberts and J.K. Wood. 2014. Alameda Creek Riparian Bird Community Occupancy Analyses.  Proceedings 13th IWA Specialist Conference: Watershed and River Basin Management, San Francisco, USA. pages 1-10.

Riensche, D.L., D. A. Bell, C. Rocha, S. A. Lockett, C. A. Newell, R. Miller and B. Nantt. 2013.  Controlling mayweed chamomile to help endangered terns.  California Invasive Plant Council 21 (3): 4-5

Riensche, D.L., M. L.  Elliott and S. H.  Euing. 2013.  Breeding status, nesting densities & diet trends of two endangered  California Least Tern colonies. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering.  2012: 1135-1145

Riensche, D.L., S. DuLava, E. Brownlee, D. A. Bell, S. High, M. Schynert, D. Wiley, S. Wiley and L. Vallee. 2012.  Kleptoparasitism by Forster’s Tern on California Least Tern.  Pacific Seabirds 39 (2): 55-56

Riensche, D.L., C. L. Kitting, T. C. Groff, S. Dulava and D. A. Bell. 2012. California Gull Predator Management and Reproductive Success of Endangered California Least Terns in the San Francisco Bay, California. Proceedings Vertebrate Pest Conference 25: 240-245

Riensche, D., M. Morrow, M. Clark and C. Kitting.  2010.  Monitoring trends in a breeding bird assemblage with implications for riparian conservation.  Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society 46: 7-20

Riensche, D., C. Robinson-Nilsen and C. High.  2010.  Killdeer observed depredating a Western snowy plover nest.  Western Birds 41:184-185.
 
Riensche, D., J. Mena and A. Shawen. 2009. Western and Clark’s grebe nest platforms designed for fluctuating water levels.  Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society 45: 7 -16

Riensche, D. 2008.  Effects of Cattle Grazing on Lizard Diversity in Managed Central California Grasslands.  Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society 44: 4 -10

Riensche, D. 2008.  Sweat Equity at East Bay – How volunteers advance the cause of conservation.  The Wildlife Professional, Vol. 2, # 4: 53-55.

Riensche, D. 2007.  California Least Tern Habitat Enhancement and Nesting in the East Bay Regional Park District, California.  Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society 43: 62-71

Bell, D. A. and D. L. Riensche. 2006.  Lizard Abundance in Managed Central California Grasslands. Pages 1-2 in CAL-PAC Society for Range Management Symposium Grazing for Biological Conservation – June 23, 2006

Riensche, D. July-August 2003.  Born to be Wild: California Quail Reintroduction, the Coyote Hills Experience. Quail Unlimited, pp.16 -18.

Conference Posters

 

Restoration, Monitoring and Research Projects

Special Projects

If you are available on weekends or weekdays, are active participants in our group projects, and/or annually accumulate more than 25 hours of exemplary volunteer service, then please give me a call at (510) 544-2319, or e-mail me at docquack@ebparks.org. Because of the nature of the work and the sensitive species involved, “Doc Quack” makes the final determination on the staffing of these projects. If interested, please give me at least two weeks notice and a phone number (cell phone preferred) where I can leave you a voicemail message. Based on weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstance, projects can be cancelled.  

Least Tern Colony Monitors

Here is your opportunity to become a “Birding-Peeping-Tom” by peering into the family life of terns. You will be helping to record data about their nest distribution, chronology and reproductive success using the Type 2 monitoring method. In this method, surveys are conducted from a vehicle approximately 25m (75ft.) from the island at various times of day, with the majority of the surveys conducted from 0700 to 1700 hours, seven days a week. A Cabela’s professional 60mm (2.4 in) spotting scope on a car window mount will be available. By participating, you’ll earn your “Colony Caretakers” patch. Physical labor is involved with this project. Parent participation required.
No scheduled events, check back soon. 

california least tern flying
California Least Tern. Courtesy of Daniel I. Riensche

Lizard Legionnaire

Discover the beauty, mystery, and magic of the region’s reptiles while participating in field research to conserve and manage grassland wildlife.  These are on-going dates that include setting our research plots, trapping, monitoring, vegetation transects and hands-on data entry.  Physical labor is involved with this project By participating, you’ll earn your “Managed Grasslands Research” patch.  Space is limited to current Wildlife Volunteers. Parent participation required.  These are remote and rugged areas that require all participants to be “self-contained resources,” and in most cases vehicle access is by four-wheel drive.  

Date(s) & Location:     TBA – call or email if interested.

Protection Patrol

plover protection logo

You will enjoy the beach and bay setting while monitoring overwintering western snowy plovers.  These federally threatened species are protected by law from any harm or harassment.  You will be helping to record data about their behavior, distribution, chronology and potential disturbance factors.  Physical labor is involved with this project. By participating, you’ll earn your “Plover Protection Patrol” patch.  Space is limited to current active Wildlife Volunteers. Parent participation required.

Location:     Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda
Directions:     In Alameda along Shoreline Drive.

wester snowy plover on the beach
Western Snowy Plover. Courtesy of Daniel I. Riensche

Salt Marsh Harvest Mouseketers

Mousketeres logo

We need help with an effort to document the continued presence of the Salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) within the properties operated by the District along its 40 plus miles San Francisco Bay Shoreline.  These are on-going dates that include setting up research stations, trapping, vegetation transects and the completion of field forms.  Physical labor is involved with this project. By participating, you’ll earn your “Salt Marsh Harvest Mouseketers” patch.  Space is limited to current active Wildlife Volunteers. Parent participation required.  These are remote and rugged areas that require all participants to be “self-contained resources.”

Date(s) & Location:  TBA – call or email if interested.

Turtle Trackers

Discover the beauty, mystery, and magic of our only native freshwater turtle while participating in field research to conserve and manage these special status species.  These are on-going dates that include setting up research stations, trapping, using radio-telemetry monitoring equipment, vegetation transects and the completion of field forms.  By participating, you’ll earn your “Turtle Telemetry Team” patch.  Physical labor is involved with this project.  Space is limited to current active Wildlife Volunteers. Parent participation required.  These are remote and rugged areas that require all participants to be “self-contained resources.”

Date(s) & Location:     TBA – call or email if interested.

people with nets smiling
Turtle Tracking Team

How to Volunteer

To become an “official” Wildlife Volunteer, please attend several of our Group Activities (listed above) and then request an application from:

Dave "Doc Quack" Riensche
Wildlife Biologist, Certified Wildlife Biologist ®
East Bay Regional Park District
P.O. Box 5381
Oakland, CA 94605-0381
docquack@ebparks.org

Scheduled group activities require registration. Register online or call the District’s Reservation Department at 1-888-327-2757 to sign-up at least two weeks before the event. Based on weather conditions or other unseen circumstance, projects may be cancelled.

Make a Tax-Deductible Donation

You can support Doc Quack's program of your choice by making a donation online at the Regional Parks Foundation's website or by making a check payable to the Regional Parks Foundation and mailing it to P.O. Box 2527, Castro Valley, CA 94546. The Regional Parks Foundation's Federal Tax ID # is 23-7011877.
Visit the Regional Parks Foundation for more info!

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