Seasons of Wildlife
The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect threatened and endangered species and provide critical habitat for their survival. Today, the refuge is home to diverse wildlife, including four endangered or threatened species and more than 200 bird species.
The refuge consists of two distinct areas: Sweetwater Marsh Unit and South San Diego Bay Unit.
Sweetwater Marsh Unit
The most significant habitat in this unit is coastal salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.
Learn more about salt marsh , a vital ecosystem that supports invertebrates and juvenile fish while offering nesting, foraging, and high-water refuge for many bird species.
South San Diego Bay Unit
This unit features shallow subtidal habitats and intertidal mudflats, essential for fish and shorebirds. In addition, the salt ponds provide resting and feeding areas for a variety of birds, while the surrounding levees serve as nesting sites for seven species of ground-nesting seabirds.