Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary
California · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, dawn to dusk
About This Location
Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is a productive birding destination in California, with 341 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts Canada Goose, Gadwall, and American Wigeon among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo lagopus
Red Crossbill (Sitka Spruce or type 10)
Loxia curvirostra
Tricolored Blackbird
Agelaius tricolor
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
Black-and-white Warbler
Mniotilta varia
Red-winged Blackbird (California Bicolored)
Agelaius phoeniceus
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
Colaptes auratus
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bucephala islandica
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted x Red-shafted)
Colaptes auratus
Tropical Kingbird
Tyrannus melancholicus
Nelson's Sparrow
Ammospiza nelsoni
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Polioptila caerulea
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Bufflehead
Rock Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
American Coot
Greater Yellowlegs
Caspian Tern
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Black-crowned Night Heron
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Black Phoebe
Common Raven
Birding Tips
- 1
Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.
- 2
Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.
- 3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.
- 4
Bring insect repellent — wetland areas can have significant mosquito activity, especially in warmer months.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Humboldt Bay NWR
- Arcata Community Forest
- Manila Dunes