Elkhorn Slough Reserve

05/07/2026

Join us for World Migratory Bird Day weekend! This year’s theme is focused on community science, and we’re offering plenty of ways for you to learn more about the birds of Elkhorn Slough and how to collect data that will help inform critical avian conservation initiatives.

~ Saturday, May 9th ~
8:30am - Global Big Day Migration Celebration
Celebrate spring migration with a naturalist on this beginner-friendly birding hike!
10:00am - World Migratory Bird Day Guided Hike
Not an early bird? Join our volunteer led hike at 10am!

~ Sunday, May 10th ~
9:30am - California Breeding Bird Atlas Workshop
Learn how to use eBird to get involved in California's first state-wide breeding bird atlas!

Visit elkhornslough.org/calendar for more event details and accessibility information. No reservation necessary. Check in at the visitor center when you arrive and feel free to borrow a pair of our binoculars!

Photo 1: Elegant Tern with anchovies by Jacqueline Deely
Photo 2: Wilson’s Warbler by Joan Tisdale
Photo 3: Forster’s Terns by Paul Zaretsky
Photo 4: Hester Marsh
Illustration: Black-necked Stilt by Madison Luken

02/13/2026

Happy Valentine's Day from the wildlife at Elkhorn Slough! Click the link in the comments below for a printable Elkhorn Slough Valentine's Day cards (or visit elkhornslough.org/valentines).

02/09/2026

Join us during Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) weekend for an afternoon of backyard birding along our ADA-accessible trail and to learn how you can participate in this annual community science project!

This event is free and does not require pre-registration. All birding levels are welcome and binoculars are available to borrow! More details at elkhornslough.org/calendar

01/08/2026

01/07/2026

Elkhorn Road is still flooded this week following King Tides and heavy rain. If you're visiting soon, we suggest arriving from the south!

Floods like this have been on our minds for a while. We have been working with the railroad and county to plan for raising the road and reconstructing the marsh, which will reduce flooding, improve public safety, and rebuild wetland habitat.

01/01/2026

Water poured over the railroad tracks in Elkhorn Slough during our recent king tides. The next chance to see king tides at Elkhorn Slough (or elsewhere in California) will happen this weekend, January 2-4. To learn more about king tides near you, visit https://www.coastal.ca.gov/kingtides/

12/31/2025

Native oysters offer hope in a warming climate It’s easy to assume that as the climate warms, marine life will suffer. But new research led by the Elkhorn S ...

12/28/2025

Join us next weekend for incredible views of the extreme king tides from our trails!

12/18/2025

We’ll be closed for the holidays over the next couple of weeks, but open each weekend. Come enjoy our trails!!

11/20/2025

Join us on Saturday, November 29th from 10AM-12PM for a Winter Waterfowl Walk, where we will learn about many of Elkhorn Slough’s most iconic winter duck species, from the struggles they face in our rapidly changing world to identification tips that will help you level-up your birding skills.

This event is free and does not require pre-registration. We will be meeting in front of the Visitor Center at 1700 Elkhorn Road and will plan to walk about 2 miles on the Oak Marsh Loop. Bring your binoculars or borrow some from us! All birding levels are welcome!