July 27, 2021

Each year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife works with the current rice farmer of the Wildlife Area to provide habitat ideal for migrating shorebirds. The lease of the rice farmers includes flooding up about 150 acres of shorebird habitat during the months of July and August. These fields are flooded slowly at depths varying from 0.5 to 6 inches to attract shore birds.

The field just across the auto tour loop from parking lot C was flooded in July. Recognizing this year’s drought situation and the potential that water use restrictions in the Bypass may be enacted, the current plan is to flood up the second shorebird field adjacent to the toe drain for the month of August. These fields will be located just north of the pollinator field.