Elkhorn Slough
California · West
Easy
November-April
$4 per vehicle (reserve)
Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
About This Location
Elkhorn Slough is one of California's largest remaining coastal wetlands, located on Monterey Bay. The tidal slough and surrounding habitats support over 340 bird species, with excellent viewing of shorebirds, seabirds, and raptors year-round.
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
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalis
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Poecile rufescens
Lincoln's Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mourning Dove
Black-necked Stilt
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Long-billed Curlew
Marbled Godwit
Red-necked Phalarope
Lesser Yellowlegs
Willet
Least Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Western Gull
California Gull
Forster's Tern
Elegant Tern
Brandt's Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Birding Tips
- 1
Kayak tours offer close-up views of sea otters and birds
- 2
Walk the Five Fingers Loop trail for excellent marsh birding
- 3
Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity
- 4
Winter birding can be rewarding for waterfowl, raptors, and winter finches
- 5
Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Moss Landing
More in California
California Birding Guide
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