We went for a 4 mile walk around the 300 acre San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary between rain squalls of the atmospheric river that was hitting California. It was early March, flowers were in bloom, and it was relatively cool, in the 50’s.
It seemed like had been raining non-stop for most of the past two months, and the wetlands were soaking it all in.
We pulled into the parking lot by the Sea and Sage Audubon Center, and headed off on the trail.
According to the Irvine Ranch Water District, “the wetlands are a critical component of IRWD’s Natural Treatment System,” and act as a natural water filter. The plants found here, such as bullrush, help to filter urban runoff from San Diego Creek before it reaches Upper Newport Bay.
It takes just a week for up to 70% of the nitrogen to be removed from the creek’s runoff. You will see evidence of the waterworks, pumps, and filtration apparatus, throughout the hike.
The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary has a maze of trails, along various lagoons, full of waterfowl. Native wetland loving plants, and flowers were in bloom.
I spotted a few American Coot’s with their black feathers, and white bill.
There were lots of Mallard Ducks, Cinnamon Teals, Black Necked Stilts, and an Egyptian Goose.
There are about 200 species of birds that can be found here, and some only seasonally.
You can read more about the Birds of San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary here.
Along the boardwalk section, I spotted a graceful looking Snowy Egret.
It was slowly tip-toeing its way through the marsh in search of a meal.
Plenty of other creatures call this wetland home, and you can read about them here.
Fetch, or wind over water, was creating waves in the lagoons, on this breezy day.
I spotted many wildflowers, such as Evening Primrose, Bush Sunflower, and bright pink Showy Penstemon.
I noticed a large cluster of Mugwort, a medicinal plant, that is helpful in soothing wounds, when mashed and applied as a poultice in folk medicine.
There were lots of white flowering coyote brush everywhere, some sycamores, rushes, sedges, and willows.
The setting in Irvine, sandwiched between UCI, the Back Bay, tall Corporate buildings, and John Wayne Airport, is an unlikely location for a nature preserve.
Much of the time, you will start to get that lost feeling, like you have gotten away from it all, and that is the idea of taking a nature walk. There are numerous high density apartment buildings here, which ensures a steady supply of hikers, and joggers, enjoying the well maintained trails.
Even after a rain, there is good enough drainage here, to ensure you don’t have to avoid hiking, on rainy days. This is one place you could hike in the rain, without getting stuck in the mud.
You can find a map of all the named trails here.
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I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2021 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
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