Arcata Marsh

40.85812 , -124.09306

United States of America (USA)

The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary has the largest bird species list of any coastal site north of Point Reyes, with well over 300 species recorded.  It is situated in the City of Arcata on the shore of Humboldt Bay and is part of the Humboldt Bay Important Bird Area and the Humboldt Bay Complex of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.  The property is managed by the City with support from the Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM).  It includes freshwater ponds and marshes, salt marsh, riparia, mudflat, and some upland habitat.  The site was converted from industrial uses in the 1980s and serves as Arcata's wastewater treatment facility as well as a heavily used recreation area, with about five miles of foot trails and bicycle paths.  It is open free of charge every day from sunrise to sunset and has an interpretive center open 9-5 Tuesday-Sunday and 1-5 Mondays.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 40.8581/-124.0931 (2020-11-23 21:05:27 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Arcata Marsh" (2020-11-23 21:05:27 )

Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-12-22 23:47:28
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary has the largest bird species list of any coastal site north of Point Reyes, with well over 300 species recorded.  It is situated in the City of Arcata on the shore of Humboldt Bay and is part of the Humboldt Bay Important Bird Area and the Humboldt Bay Complex of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.  The property is managed by the City with support from the Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM).  It includes freshwater ponds and marshes, salt marsh, riparia, mudflat, and some upland habitat.  The site was converted from industrial uses in the 1980s and serves as Arcata's wastewater treatment facility as well as a heavily used recreation area, with about five miles of foot trails and bicycle paths.  It is open free of charge every day from sunrise to sunset and has an interpretive center (currently open only 9-5 on weekends due to COVID-19).Tuesday-Sunday and 1-5 Mondays.
Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-09-03 01:22:22
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary has the largest bird species list of any coastal site north of Point Reyes, with well over 300 species recorded.  It is situated in the City of Arcata on the shore of Humboldt Bay and is part of the Humboldt Bay Important Bird Area.Area and the Humboldt Bay Complex of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.  The property is managed by the City with support from the Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM).  It includes freshwater ponds and marshes, salt marsh, riparia, mudflat, and some upland habitat.  The site was converted from industrial uses in the 1980s and serves as Arcata's wastewater treatment facility as well as a heavily used recreation area, with about five miles of foot trails and bicycle paths.  It is open free of charge every day from sunrise to sunset and has an interpretive center (currently open only 9-5 on weekends due to COVID-19).
Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-08-26 07:07:26
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary has the largest bird species list of any coastal site north of Point Reyes, with well over 300 species recorded.  It is situated in the City of Arcata on the shore of Humboldt Bay and is part of the Humboldt Bay Important Bird Area.  The property is managed by the City with support from the Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM).  It includes freshwater ponds and marshes, salt marsh, riparia, mudflat, and some upland habitat.  The site was converted from industrial uses in the 1980s and serves as Arcata's wastewater treatment facility as well as a heavily used recreation area, with about five miles of foot trails and bicycle paths.  It is open free of charge every day from sunrise to sunset and has an interpretive center (currently open only 9-5 on weekends due to COVID-19).

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Not available yet
  • Timing and strategy

The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is productive for birding year-round, though June is probably the least interesting time.  Shorebirds are present in the area in large numbers from July to April but their presence at the marsh is dependent on tides, with the several hours before and after high tide being the best.  Waterfowl numbers peak from October to January.  Most locations can be viewed from various angles, so sun position is not much of a factor.

The entire site can be covered easily on foot in half a day.

The best areas for waterfowl are the freshwater and brackish ponds and marshes:  Butcher Slough Log Pond in the northeast corner; the three enhancement marshes on the west side; Klopp Lake in the southwest; Brackish, East, and West ponds in the northwest; and the oxidation ponds in the southeast.

Shorebirds congregate at high tide on the shoreline and islands of Klopp Lake and adjacent Arcata Bay, along South I Street between Klopp Lake and McDaniel Slough Restoration Area, in McDaniel Slough Restoration Area, and at Brackish Pond.

The Redwood Region Audubon Society leads free, guided bird walks at 8:30 on Saturdays starting in the northeast corner of the Klopp Lake parking lot; Google calls the spot "Arcata Bird Sanctuary."

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-09-02 05:23
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is productive for birding year-round, though June is probably the least interesting time.  Shorebirds are present in the area in large numbers from July to April but their presence at the marsh is dependent on tides, with the several hours before and after high tide being the best.  Waterfowl numbers peak from October to January.  Most locations can be viewed from various angles, so sun position is not much of a factor. The entire site can be covered easily on foot in half a day. The best areas for waterfowl are the freshwater and brackish ponds and marshes:  Butcher Slough Log Pond in the northeast corner; the three enhancement marshes on the west side; Klopp Lake in the southwest, Brackish, southwest; Brackish, East, and West ponds in the northwest; and the oxidation ponds in the southeast. Shorebirds congregate at high tide on the shoreline and islands of Klopp Lake and adjacent Arcata Bay, along South I Street between Klopp Lake and McDaniel Slough Restoration Area, in McDaniel Slough Restoration Area, and at Brackish Pond. The Redwood Region Audubon Society leads free, guided bird walks at 8:30 on Saturdays starting in the northeast corner of the Klopp Lake parking lot; Google calls the spot "Arcata Bird Sanctuary."
Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-08-28 15:25
The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is productive for birding year-round, though June is probably the least interesting time.  Shorebirds are present in the area in large numbers from July to April but their presence at the marsh is dependent on tides, with the several hours before and after high tide being the best.  Waterfowl numbers peak from October to January.  Most locations can be viewed from various angles, so sun position is not much of a factor. The entire site can be covered easily on foot in half a day. The best areas for waterfowl are the freshwater and brackish ponds and marshes:  Butcher Slough Log Pond in the northeast corner; the three enhancement marshes on the west side; Klopp Lake in the southwest, Brackish, East, and West ponds in the northwest; and the oxidation ponds in the southeast. Shorebirds congregate at high tide on the shoreline and islands of Klopp Lake and adjacent Arcata Bay, along South I Street between Klopp Lake and McDaniel Slough Restoration Area, in McDaniel Slough Restoration Area, and at Brackish Pond. The Redwood Region Audubon Society leads free, guided bird walks at 8:30 on Saturdays starting in the northeast corner of the Klopp Lake parking lot; Google calls the spot "Arcata Bird Sanctuary."
  • How to get there

See Access (below).  Redwood Transit System and Arcata-Mad River Transit System buses stop nearby on the north side of Highway 255.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-08-30 17:57
There are numerous access points on South G, South H, and South I streets south of Highway 255 in Arcata.See Access (below).  Redwood Transit System and Arcata-Mad River Transit System buses stop nearby on the north side of Highway 255.
Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-08-29 14:49
There are numerous access points from South on South G, South H, and South I streets south of Highway 255 in Arcata.  Redwood Transit System and Arcata-Mad River Transit System buses stop nearby on the north side of 255.
Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-08-29 14:24
There are numerous access points from South G, South H, and South I streets south of Highway 255 in Arcata.  Redwood Transit System and Arcata-Mad River Transit System buses stop nearby on the north side of 255.

Access is free and the site is open during daylight hours every day.  There are numerous access points along South G, South H, and South I streets (south of Highway 255) in Arcata.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-08-30 17:59
Access is free and the site is open during daylight hours every day.  There are numerous access points on South along South G, South H, and South I streets (south of Highway 255) in Arcata.
Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-08-30 17:56
Access is free and the site is open during daylight hours every day.  There are numerous access points on South G, South H, and South I streets (south of Highway 255) in Arcata.
  • Other attractions

River otters are seen frequently here.

The interpretive center is worth checking out and has an excellent selection of books and merchandise.

The site is excellent for walking and bicycling.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-08-31 23:23
River otters are seen frequently here. The interpretive center is worth checking out and has an excellent selection of books and merchandise. The site is excellent for walking and bicycling.

The Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center (restrooms), at 569 South G St., is normally open 9-5 daily, with curtailed hours during COVID.

There is a porta-potty at the Klopp Lake parking lot, at the end of South I St.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-09-02 05:22
The Arcata Marsh Interpretive Center (restrooms), at 569 South G St., is normally open 9-5 daily, with curtailed hours during COVID. There is a porta-potty at the Klopp Lake parking lot, at the end of South I St.

Vehicle break-ins happen.

Road noise is a factor, especially on the east side.

Watch out for bicycles on the multi-use path.

It can be cold and windy, especially on the west side.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-09-03 01:20
Vehicle break-ins happen. Road noise is a factor, especially on the east side. Watch out for bicycles on the multi-use path.path. It can be cold and windy, especially on the west side.
Edited by Kenneth Burton on 2021-09-03 01:19
Vehicle break-ins happen. Road noise is a factor, especially on the east side. Watch out for bicycles on the multi-use path.
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Arcata Marsh - Orniverse