Tijuana Slough Refugewildlife
At Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for wildlife comes in 3 separate phases, each its own display: Western snowy plovers nesting at the river mouth and dunes, from mid-March to mid-September; Peak snowy plover nesting, peak nesting from April through June; and Belding's savannah sparrows nesting in the pickleweed marsh, from March to August. Its usual window for this year has passed.
- March–SeptemberWestern snowy plovers nesting at the river mouth and dunesfrom mid-March to mid-September
- April–JunePeak snowy plover nestingpeak nesting from April through June
- March–AugustBelding's savannah sparrows nesting in the pickleweed marshfrom March to August
Right now at Tijuana Slough Refuge
Right now in Tijuana Slough Refuge · September
- Western snowy plovers nest at the river mouth and dunes, mid-March to mid-September · Mar–Sep
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach: trail maps and staff Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; restrooms open daily 9 to 5. The refuge's trails, boardwalks and observation decks connect with the reserve's trail system
- River Mouth TrailA 1-mile trail on the reserve map toward the river mouth, where plovers nest in the dunes: stay on the trail and never go past closure signs
Nearby
- Cabrillo10 miMid-January is the peak time for migration, but whales are visible from mid- to late December through March
- Channel Islands169 mi3 separate phases, from begins at the end of December and lasts until April
- Padre Island National Seashore1236 mimid-June through August
- Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge1248 milate February through early April
- Sequoyah Refuge1281 miMarch – SeptemberSatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
- Loess Bluffs Refuge1320 miJune - August are good timesSatPartly Sunny
The year at Tijuana Slough Refuge
- Western snowy plovers nest at the river mouth and dunes, mid-March to mid-SeptemberNowMar–Sep
- Belding's savannah sparrows nest in the pickleweed marsh, March to AugustMar–Aug
- Peak snowy plover nesting, April through JuneApr–Jun
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge?
In 3 separate phases: Western snowy plovers nesting at the river mouth and dunes, from mid-March to mid-September, Peak snowy plover nesting, peak nesting from April through June and Belding's savannah sparrows nesting in the pickleweed marsh, from March to August. They're separate displays, not one long season.
Is it the season at Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: Belding's savannah sparrows nesting in the pickleweed marsh, from March to August.
Can I bring my dog?
On most trails, on a leash no longer than six feet. The reserve's older trail map is stricter (dogs only on the north beach and the 5th and Iris trail), so check the signs.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tijuana Slough NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve Trail Map (PDF on fws.gov) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the visitor center open?
Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the restrooms next to it are open daily from 9 to 5.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tijuana Slough NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Why so many helicopters?
The refuge borders a U.S. Navy landing field, so helicopters are common during the week. Sundays and early mornings are usually quieter.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tijuana Slough NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do I watch nesting birds without disturbing them?
Stay on the trails and boardwalks and never cross closure signs: plovers nesting in the dunes are highly vulnerable to beach activity, and Belding's savannah sparrows are sensitive to disturbance. Drones are prohibited.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tijuana Slough NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab), Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve Trail Map (PDF on fws.gov) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tijuana Slough NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge?
Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center: 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach: trail maps and staff Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; restrooms open daily 9 to 5. The refuge's trails, boardwalks and observation decks connect with the reserve's trail system; River Mouth Trail: a 1-mile trail on the reserve map toward the river mouth, where plovers nest in the dunes: stay on the trail and never go past closure signs.
What is Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Western snowy plovers nest at the river mouth and dunes, mid-March to mid-September (Mar–Sep), Peak snowy plover nesting, April through June (Apr–Jun) and Belding's savannah sparrows nest in the pickleweed marsh, March to August (Mar–Aug).
How we know · Sources (3)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tijuana Slough NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tijuana Slough NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve Trail Map (PDF on fws.gov) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)