WETLAND WONDERS: NAPA-SONOMA MARSHES WILDLIFE AREA A HAVEN FOR BIRDWATCHERS, HIKERS

Driving west over the Napa River on the Southern Crossing bridge can inspire wonder about the wildlife that thrives in the marshland to the southwest, stretching all the way to Sonoma.

For day-trippers, there's an easy way to get up close and personal. The nearly 14,000-acre Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area is a haven for birdwatchers in search of marshland birds, upland birds, freshwater birds, saltwater and brackish-water birds and bay birds.

But it's also a fine place to take a day hike and view owls, bald eagles, American white pelicans, Western snowy plovers, the California clapper rail, egrets, stilts and the endangered California least tern, the smallest seagull.

And for kayakers willing to paddle out a few miles, the area located between the Napa River and Sonoma Creek is known for its population of harbor seals, sea lions and river otters.

It's called the Huichica Creek Unit and will host an open house May 18.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Karen Taylor has called the area her workplace for the past nine years, as she helps guide the restoration of about 10,000 acres of saltwater ponds, tidal marshes and wetlands that once existed on the north shores of San Pablo Bay.

"I've been pretty lucky in my position," Taylor said. "I grew up in Napa, so getting to see this habitat and watch it go back to what it used to be is pretty special. Not many people get to be involved in a restoration effort, much less work in the backyard. Everything is changing constantly. I like that part of the job.

"I meet people from the public and others through research, so I get to see what's going on beyond the marshes as well. You never know who you're going to meet or what you're going to see."

While explaining the wildlife to visitors, Taylor often stops in mid-sentence, tilting her ear skyward to identify a sound.

"That's a Sora," she says, pinpointing a small marsh bird also known as the Sora rail that breeds in North American marshland. "You actually hear them long before you see them."

The estuary originally was vital to millions of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl, along with mammals, fish and crustaceans. However, since the first Spanish explorers arrived, more than 90 percent of the wetland habitats have been altered or destroyed.

The 11,000 acres under restoration are comprised of former evaporative salt ponds, levees and tidal lands purchased from Cargill Salt Division in 1994, known as the Napa River Restoration Project, and another 1,400 acres purchased in 2003 known as the Napa Plant Site Restoration Project.

The area is marked to the south by the Brazos Bridge, and along the west side of the Napa River toward Vallejo. It is made up of levees and sloughs, so most of it is accessible by boat only.

"With the sea level rising due to climate change, there is some worry about how far water will travel upland," said Taylor, eyeing vineyards to the north.

Fortunately, the wildlife area is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Fish and Wildlife provides maps showing a half dozen trailheads and several launching ramps. There is ample free parking, too.

"Huichica" is the Wappo Indian name for the burrowing owl, which was once abundant in the Huichica Creek area. Recreational attractions are found in the Huichica Creek area to the south of Buchli Station Road.

Dogs are not allowed on site from March to June, as they tend to threaten breeding birds and their incubating nests. The rest of the year dogs on leashes no longer than six feet are allowed on trails.

Waterfowl hunters are allowed from October to January on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Photographers are welcome to use blinds constructed in the area to get close-ups of the wildlife.

Hikers are often seen checking out the birds. They are encouraged to wear light-colored clothing as a way to spot unwanted insects, and to tuck pants into boots to keep bugs away from skin.

Taylor and scientific aide Victoria Pruitt teach visitors about the area. They talk to local schoolchildren and recently hosted a tour for a group of Jordanians attending an international conference.

Volunteers are encouraged to join the restoration effort through the National Resources Volunteer Program, an agency designed to attract retired people with experience in natural preservation, some of whom donate as much as 20 volunteer hours per month, said Pruitt.

A pair of Napa County agencies will host an open house at the Huichica Creek Unit from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 18. Other open houses will take place at Lake Hennessey, the Napa River in Napa and Rutherford, Napa Creek in downtown Napa and the Napa Sanitation District.

For open house details, call Frances Knapczyk at 252-4188, ext. 116.

Fish and Wildlife also works in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Board, the State Coastal Conservancy, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the Regional Quality Control Board to make sure the restoration project is moving ahead properly.

Another partner is Acacia Winery, located about a mile from Buchli Station Road. Acacia contributes a percentage of proceeds from the sale of its Marsh Chardonnay to the restoration effort.

Many day-hikers top off their day with a taste of Chardonnay, said Michael Beguelin, director of winery hospitality and sales. The winery is located at 2750 Las Amigas Road. For details, call 226-9991.

To reach the Huichica Creek Unit from Highway 12/121, turn south on Duhig Road for about 2 miles, then left at Las Amigas Road and follow it east to Buchli Station Road. Turn south and follow Buchli Station Road to the parking lot.

Maps are available at dfg.ca.gov. Details are available at 226-3641 and 944-5500.