Waterbird Regional Preserve facts for kids

The Waterbird Regional Preserve is a special natural area in Contra Costa County, California. It covers about 192 acres (which is like 145 football fields!). This preserve is right next to the city of Martinez. It's managed by the East Bay Regional Park District, which takes care of many parks in the area.

The main part of the preserve is called McNabney Marsh. This marsh is a wetland located near Interstate 680 and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. It's also found between two large oil refineries. The water from the marsh flows into Suisun Bay through a channel called Peyton Slough. This marsh is a very important home for many different kinds of waterbirds and shorebirds. They come here to rest and find food.

What is the History of Waterbird Preserve?

McNabney Marsh has been here for a very long time. It existed even before European explorers came to the area in the early 1800s. Around that time, about 200 Native American people called the Chupcans lived near the marsh. They also lived in the higher lands around it.

In the 1880s, a big train track was built through this area. Later, two chemical companies, Peyton Chemical Company and Mountain Copper Company, built factories. These factories were located near where Peyton Slough meets the bay. There were also eucalyptus and pepperwood trees on the eastern side of the marsh. These trees provided wood to build houses for the factory workers.

In 1988, there was an oil spill that harmed many wetlands in this area, including McNabney Marsh. After the initial cleanup, a special fund of $10 million was set up. This fund was meant to help "restore, rehabilitate and acquire" natural areas damaged by the oil spill. This money helped the East Bay Regional Park District buy 198 acres of the southern part of the marsh. This included the higher lands to the east of the marsh.

What Does the Preserve Look Like?

The Waterbird Regional Preserve has different parts. The East Bay Regional Park District owns 48 acres of the southern part of McNabney Marsh. Another group, the Mountain View Sanitary District (MVSD), owns 68 acres of the northern part.

The marsh and the higher lands around it are bordered by Interstate 680, Waterfront Road, Waterbird Way, and Arthur Road. The park area is made up of these distinct parts:

• Marsh: 46 acres
• Transition zone: 29 acres (This is where the marsh meets the higher land)
• Grass upland: 23 acres (Higher, grassy areas)
• Ungrazed land: 4 acres (Land where animals don't eat the plants)
• Disconnected parcels: 9 acres (Smaller pieces of land that are part of the preserve)

What Animals Can You See at Waterbird Preserve?

Many different types of birds use the marsh. You might often see birds like the American coot, mallard, and Canada goose. Other common birds include the green-winged teal, black-necked stilt, and white pelican. You can also spot smaller birds like the barn swallow, black phoebe, and house finch.

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might see more rare birds. These include the white-tailed kite, northern harrier, golden eagle, osprey, and peregrine falcon.

The higher, grassy areas of the preserve are home to small mammals. You might see ground squirrels and pocket gophers living there.

Important Rules for Visitors!

• No Dogs Allowed: Dogs are not allowed in the preserve. This rule helps protect the delicate ecosystem and prevents disturbance to the waterbirds.
• No Fishing: Fishing is not allowed in the preserve.
• No Water Contact: People and their pets are not allowed to go into the water.