Redwood Region Audubon Society
Birding Hotspots
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, California 95551 (707) 733-5406
This relatively new refuge has two separate wildlife viewing areas that are reached by different routes. The Hookton Slough Trail and the Shorebird Loop Trail are both good locations for observing wildlife on the refuge. Peak viewing season for most species of waterbirds and raptors is September through April.
To reach the refuge, continue south on Highway 101 about four miles south of Fields Landing and exit at Hookton Road. The bay will be out of sight here. Turn right at the end of the off-ramp onto Eel River Drive and left again immediately onto Ranch Road, where a large sign directs you to refuge headquarters 1.5 miles from the highway exit. The Shorebird Loop Trail starts at the parking lot here.
This trail is open weekdays only, October through May, during refuge office hours. At other times, the road to the headquarters is gated.
The level, 1.75 mile Shorebird Loop Trail passes near some of the refuge's best shorebird viewing areas. It affords a good overview of the diverse seasonal wetlands and an optional side trail takes you to the refuge's largest permanent freshwater pond. Interpretive panels along the way illustrate the wildlife resources and habitat management practices. An observation blind near the Triangle marsh allows excellent photograph opportunities.
At the southern end of the trail an elevated overlook provides an excellent view of Salmon Creek and surrounding wetlands. Look for shorebirds, waterfowl, songbirds, tree frogs, and river otters.
Waterfolw found here in winter include Tundra Swan and large numbers of Northern Pintail, as well as Gadwall, American Widgeon and other ducks. Peregrine Falcons frequently chase both ducks and shorebirds.
Other raptors include Red-tailed and sometimes rough-legged hawks, White-tailed Kite and Short-eared Owls. In winter and migration, American Pipits are common, and there is one record of a Red-throated Pipit.
Spring migration brings high numbers of shorebirds including Western and Least sandpipers, Dunlins, both dowitchers, Marbled Godwits, Willets, Long-billed Curlews and both yellowlegs.
Summer breeders include Canada Geese, Mallards, Cinnamon and Green-winged teal, and among landbirds, Vaux's Swifts, Cliff Swallows, Savannah Sparrows, and American Goldfinches.
If the central part of the refuge is closed, go directly to the Hookton Slough Trail, which is open year-round, seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. To reach it, return to the end of Ranch Road and turn right (west) on Hookton Road. At about 1.2 mile, look carefully for the small refuge sign on your right directing you to the Hookton Slough trail parking area.
The trail follows a tidal slough 1.5 miles out along the south edge of Humboldt Bay. The three-mile round trip passes through areas of grasslands, freshwater marsh, mudflats and open water. Look for herons and egrets as well as shorebirds, waterfolw, and harbor seals. Waterfowl hunting occurs on the open waters of the bay on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between October and January.
Birds commonly found here in winter include loons, grebes, Short-eared Owls, shorebirds and waterfowl. In spring, look for Black Brant, Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails, Ospreys, and shorebirds.
Summer nesting birds include Double-crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, Northern Harriers, Mallards, Great Blue Herons, Great and Snowy Egrets and a few American Avocets. In fall, look for Caspian Terns, Common Snipe, Black-crowned Night-Heron and shorebirds.
From Hookton Slough Train, continue west on Hookton Road to bird Ocean Ranch, or left on Copenhagen Road to reach Loleta and the Eel River Bottoms.
Redwood Region Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1054, Eureka, CA 95502
Last updated February 1999