To many shore bird species Humboldt Bay acts as their northern most habitat, with the bay’s mudflats providing excellent feeding-grounds. These species include: American Avocets, Long-billed Curlews, Marbled Godwits, and Willits whom can be seen here from late July through April. During the summer months’ visitors can see terns, cormorants, and pelicans, as well as resident egrets herons and migratory songbirds.

 For the Pacific Brant Humboldt Bay plays a very important roll. Brant feed primarily on Eelgrass and Humboldt Bay contains the largest remaining eelgrass habitat south of Willapa Bay in Washington. Thus serving as one of the only major feeding grounds for the species left on their migration route. On their return trip from Mexico headed for Alaska as many as 10,000-20,000 Brant may be using Humboldt Bay at one time, January through April.  

 Birds can be seen around the Bay at all times of day however, dawn and dusk are very active times for birds on the bay, as well as, 1-2 hours on either side of the high tide. Don’t forget to keep your eyes open for the local Threatened or Endangered bird species: the Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican, Marbled Murrlet and the Western Snowy Plover. For a complete lists of the marsh birds of Humboldt Bay visit the Arcata Marsh website. Or, find out the best time of year to view specific species of birds on Humboldt Bay by checking out Natures Calendar on the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex website. The town of Arcata lies on the northern end of the bay and hosts the annual “Godwit Days”, a three-day pacific shore-bird migration festival.

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