The 154 acre Arcata Marsh and
Wildlife Sanctuary is a home and a temporary refuge for over 250 species of birds. It is a
breeding area for ducks and other waterfowl. It is a feeding area for fish-eating birds
such as osprey, herons, grebes, and egrets. For many birds, the marsh is a stopping point
on their long migration. At low tide, thousands of shorebirds can be seen foraging on the
mudflats of Humboldt Bay. While the sanctuary is populated by birds year-round, the
largest variety of birds can be seen during Fall and Spring migrations. The many types of
birds at the marsh include:
ShorebirdsWaterfowlWading
BirdsRaptorsGulls
and TernsSong
Birds
Marbled Godwit: (Limosa fedoa beringiae)
The subspecies beringiae winters solely on Humboldt Bay. Marbled
Godwits are one of the most abundant shorebirds seen at the Arcata Marsh in winter. They
are seen feeding at low tide on mudflats along Butcher's Slough and Arcata Bay. At high
tide they may be seen resting on the islands in Klopp Lake.
American Avocet: (Recurvirostra americana)
The American Avocets on Humboldt Bay make up the largest concentration
of wintering avocets along the North Coast. They are common from September to May, but you
may see a few stragglers in summer months. American Avocets can be seen feeding at low
tide along Butcher's Slough and Arcata Bay. They may await the next low tide sitting on
the islands in Klopp Lake.
Double-crested Cormorant: (Phalacrocorax auritus)
These diving birds are a common resident and a local breeder.
Cormorants are seen throughout the year diving in Klopp Lake and Butcher's Slough on high
tides. They can occasionally be seen diving in the freshwater marshes. These birds nest at
the end of the old Arcata Wharf ruins out in North Humboldt Bay. They can be seen drying
their wings on the Klopp Lake islands or on the pilings from the wharf ruins.
Dunlin: (Calidris alpina)
The Dunlin is the largest and most common of the peeps on Humboldt Bay.
Some Dunlin winter on Humboldt Bay, and for others the Bay is just a resting point on
their journey south. These birds are seen in mixed flocks with Least and Western
Sandpipers along Arcata Bay at low tide. During high tide Dunlin move to flooded and
rain-soaked pastures along Humboldt Bay. They are rare during the summer.
Black-bellied Plover: (Pluvialis squatarola)
Black-bellied Plovers can be seen year round at the marsh, but are most
common from September to April as migrants come through. Some of the birds spend the
winter on Humboldt Bay. They are seen on the Arcata Bay mudflats at low tide, searching
for food. Black-bellied Plovers move to flooded fields around Humboldt Bay at high tide.
Green Winged Teal: (Anas crecca)
This abundant bird can be seen on any of the freshwater marshes, such
as Allen Marsh or No Name Pond. Green Winged Teals are most common from the fall to the
spring, however some birds remain at the Arcata Marsh during summer months. These birds
nest at the marsh, so many ducklings appear in the spring.
Bufflehead: (Bucephala albeola)
Humboldt Bay is a major wintering area for Buffleheads, which can be
quite common in the fall and winter. They are seen all over the sanctuary, in the
freshwater marshes, Log Pond, and the Oxidation ponds. A good place to spot Buffleheads is
in Klopp Lake.
Ruddy Duck: (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Ruddy Ducks are most commonly seen from October through May. Some
winter at the Oxidation ponds, but they can also be seen in Allen, Gearheart, and Hauser
Marshes. They prefer shallow water, so may also be seen in No Name Pond.
Greater Scaup: (Aythya marila)
Greater Scaups are a common migrant at the Arcata Marsh. Many also
spend the winter here. They are seen from the Fall to Spring. Greater Scaups prefer large,
open saltwater on which to feed, so look for them in Klopp Lake or in Arcata Bay at high
tide. They can be seen diving for food in these areas.
Pied-billed Grebe: (Podilymbus podiceps)
This common grebe can be seen from October to May during migration.
These birds winter on Humboldt Bay. They prefer shallow brackish water or freshwater, so
look for them on the Oxidation ponds, in the freshwater marshes, on No Name Pond, and in
Butcher's Slough. Pied-billed Grebes dive underwater for food, and may be seen sinking
slowly out of site to avoid predation.
Black-crowned Night Heron: (Nycticorax nycticorax)
This heron is a nocturnal feeder that roosts in trees during the day.
There is a rookery in the willows at the Log Pond. They are occasionally seen in the
freshwater marshes near reeds. Black-crowned Night Herons can be seen year round at the
Arcata Marsh. Look and listen for them flying overhead in early morning and at dusk.
Great Egret: (Casmerodius albus)
This abundant bird is seen at the marsh year round, and is a local
breeder. Great Egrets can be seen at low tide hunting fish in Butcher's Slough. At high
tide they stalk rodents and small birds in the saltmarshes, along the edges of the
freshwater marshes, and even along the trails near clumps of vegetation.
Great Blue Heron: (Ardea herodias)
This is the largest heron at the Arcata Marsh. They are uncommon,
although they are seen year round. Great Blue Herons breed locally. Watch for them along
Butcher's Slough at low tide and in the freshwater marshes at high tide.
American Bittern: (Botaurus lentiginosus)
These reclusive birds are a year round resident and a local breeder,
but are usually hard to locate. Look for these bitterns in the bulrush and cattails around
the freshwater marshes and the Log Pond. Their call is often the only evidence that an
American Bittern is nearby. Their call is a series of harsh "koks."
Northern Harrier: (Circus cyaneus)
Also called the Marsh Hawk, these birds are the most common hawk at the
Arcata Marsh. They are more common from fall to spring, but a few may remain in the
summer. Northern Harriers are often seen hunting in pairs for rodents and birds. They are
seen flying low over Mt. Trashmore and the freshwater marshes. They are most often seen
during high tide when the incoming tide waters push birds off the mudflats and into the
sanctuary, leading to a higher concentration of birds on the freshwater marshes.
Peregrine Falcon: (Falco peregrinus)
This rare, endangered falcon can usually be seen at the Arcata Marsh
from fall to spring. Peregrines hunt birds by diving down from great heights, so look for
them at the top of the electrical tower in Allen Marsh. They may also be seen on tall
trees. If you suddenly see a bunch of ducks take flight, the chances are good that a
Peregrine is hunting nearby.
Osprey: (Pandion haliaetus)
Ospreys are common at the Arcata Marsh from May to October. They are
rare in winter. They breed locally, and usually nest within a few miles of open water.
Ospreys dive for fish from a height of 30 to 100 feet. They can be seen hovering over the
water looking for fish in Arcata Bay at high tide.
American Kestrel: (Falco sparverius)
This is the smallest falcon seen at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife
Sanctuary. It breeds locally, and can be seen from fall to spring. Kestrels hover over
their prey before plunging down to attack. They hunt small mammals, so they are likely to
be seen over Mt. Trashmore and the saltmarshes.
Great Horned Owl: (Bubo virginianus)
This owl is common in our area although rare at the Arcata Marsh. They
are present year round, and hunt during the night. The Great Horned Owl has been seen in
recent years in the trees around the Log Pond. Owl pellets on the trails by Mt. Trashmore
also indicate their presence in the trees there.
Caspian Tern: (Sterna caspia)
This tern in common in the summer and rare in the winter. It is seen in
flocks near Klopp Lake and Arcata Bay. They dive for fish at high tide, and may also steal
food from gulls feeding on the Klopp Lake islands.
Western Gull: (Larus occidentalis)
This bird is the most common large gull on the coast. It is abundant
year round and nests locally. Look for this gull on the Klopp Lake islands and on Arcata
Bay. At low tide it may be on the mudflats in the bay searching for food.
Bonaparte's Gull: (Larus philadelphia)
Bonaparte's Gulls are a common spring and fall migrant. A few
stragglers may also be seen in winter months. They can be seen foraging for small fish and
insects near the Oxidation ponds, Klopp Lake, or on Arcata Bay. You may also see them in
local flooded fields or floating in any of the freshwater marshes among the waterfowl.
Mew Gull: (Larus canus)
This gull is very common on Humboldt Bay from October to May, but is
rare in the summer. Migrants are abundant, and many birds will stay the winter. Mew Gulls
are seen feeding near Klopp Lake, Butcher's Slough, and in rain-soaked pastures. They may
also be seen trying to steal food from other gulls.
Forster's Tern: (Sterna forsteri)
This rare tern is seen year round at the Arcata Marsh, but its numbers
peak during the fall migration. A few spend the winter by the Jacoby Creek Estuary near
the Oxidation ponds, and around Klopp Lake. Forster's Terns may be seen flying over the
freshwater marshes for insects. They also dive for fish in Klopp Lake and in Arcata Bay
during high tide.
Marsh Wren: (Cistothorus palustris)
This abundant bird is seen year round at the Arcata Marsh. Look for
Marsh Wrens in reeds, bushes, or cattails around the Log Pond, Butcher's Slough, or the
freshwater marshes. They are local breeders, so listen for their continual singing during
breeding season.
Savannah Sparrow: (Passerculus sandwichensis)
Savannah Sparrows are a common resident and breeder. They are found at
the Arcata Marsh year round, but their numbers increase in the fall and winter as migrants
arrive. They feed on spiders, insects, and the seeds of grasses, so look for them in the
saltmarshes and in grassy areas on Mt. Trashmore.
California Quail: (Callipepla californica)
The California Quail is the State Bird of California, and is common
year round at the Arcata Marsh. They breed at the marsh, so in the spring and summer watch
for females with large broods, usually accompanied by two males. They are most often seen
in the willows around the Log Pond, but can also be seen in any large blackberry bramble
around the marsh. The California Quail is also an occasional visitor to the Interpretive
Center's front porch!
Western Meadowlark: (Sturnella neglecta)
This bird can be seen year round, but its numbers may decrease in the
summer as it moves upslope to mountain prairies. They breed locally. Western Meadowlarks
prefer grasslands, so look for them on Mt. Trashmore. They hide in the tall grass, so they
may be difficult to spot.
American Goldfinch: (Carduelis tristis)
This summer resident and breeder is most common from April to October.
Fall migrants are often seen in flocks in the willows around the Log Pond. They eat
berries and the seeds of deciduous trees, so look for them around blackberry brambles and
alders. They nest in trees that are near water.
These pages are under
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References