California’s Second Largest Salt Marsh
Elkhorn Slough stretches seven miles inland from Moss Landing Harbor, forming the second largest salt marsh in California. Since the mid-nineteenth century, it has hosted roadhouses, ranches, sugar beet plants, dairies, bootleggers, whaling stations, salt ponds, oyster farms, gun clubs and power plants. Throughout, its usefulness as a shipping channel via land and water has threatened the thriving habitat of over 700 species of animals.
The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve sits near the slough’s terminus. It features numerous hiking trails and endless opportunities to spot a variety of wildlife. Returning from a recent trip to Monterey, my wife and I stopped at the Reserve and spent several hours hiking and observing wildlife. While there were many worthwhile points of interest, we found ourselves most captivated by the spit of land known as Hummingbird Island.
Art, Conservation, Refuge
Part marsh and part hillock, the island offers some of the best views in the preserve and also serves as the stage for the the Isla de Umunnum environmental art project. The project’s goal is to create a native sanctuary for hummingbirds.
A small pond sits in the center of the island, providing an important source of freshwater for birds and other animals. It’s also the most visible part of the project.
Come for the Hiking, Stay for the Birds
Hummingbird Island is a short detour from the main loop trail. We walked about half of the five mile circuit but spent most of our time scouting for otters and observing birds. One Reserve staff member said she’d seen a ray on the narrow approach to the island, but none were visible while we were there. However, we saw herons, curlews, egrets, hawks, grebes, avocets, ducks and godwits, among others.
The Reserve was much farther from Moss Landing Harbor than we expected. Turn east onto Dolan Road at the massive Dynegy Power Plant, proceed 3.5 miles, then turn left onto Elkhorn Road. Follow Elkhorn for two miles. The reserve will be on the left.
Long-billed Curlew. Photo: Len Blumin, Flickr