Birding

Watchable Wildlife Brochure (344K pdf)

Guided walks
Free guided walks are offered at Humboldt Bay NWR:

• Salmon Creek Unit: (68K pdf) Meet at Richard J. Guadagno Headquarters and Visitor Center, 2nd Sunday of the month, 9:00AM with David Fix and Jude Power of Redwood Regional Audubon Society; 1st Wednesday of each month with Louise Bacon-Ogden of Friends of Humboldt Bay NWR; 9:00AM
  
  
• Lanphere Dunes and Ma-le'l Dunes (290K pdf): By schedule

When and where to find wildlife
Dawn and dusk are generally the best times to observe wildlife. However, tide levels also have great influence on wildlife behavior and movements around estuaries. The best times around the South Bay are generally within 1–2 hours either side of high tide.

Peak season for most species of waterbirds and raptors is November through April. Aleutian cackling geese, Pacific brant and migratory shorebird populations peak from March to late April. Summer visitors can see many terns, cormorants, and pelicans, as well as resident egrets, herons, and migratory songbirds such as warblers, sparrows, and swallows. For more animals through the season see Nature's Calendar. A list of Humboldt Bay Watchable Wildlife (344K pdf) is available.

Most waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors can be found on the Hookton Slough and Salmon Creek Units. Each has a walking trail (see refuge map--478K pdf).

The Lanphere and Ma-le’l Dunes also offer a unique birding experience. The soon to be opened slough-side trail at Ma-le’l Dunes combines opportunities to view unusually high densities of song birds in the adjacent riparian and swamp habitats, including an active osprey nest, with wading and shore birds on the adjacent mudlflats and raptors cruising overhead.

Cautions
Quick movements and noise scare away most wildlife. You will see more if you are quiet and listen. Look for tracks, nests, and other signs that can tell you interesting stories, then leave this evidence undisturbed for others. Please stay on trails to reduce disturbance to wildlife.

Do not approach or disturb nesting birds, and leave all young animals alone. Even though you may think they are abandoned, a parent is likely close by waiting for you to leave. Do NOT feed wildlife. It disrupts their digestive systems and compromises their natural instinct for survival.

What to bring
Binoculars and scopes, field guides, insect repellent, water, and rain gear are recommended. Discovery Packs, containing field guides and binoculars, are available for loan at the Visitor Center.

Other resources

Sandpiper Newsletters
Oregon Coast Birding Trail
Arcata Birding Map (288K pdf) by Gary A. Bloomfield