Noyo River - A busy seagull & friends
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
How amazing is nature when one stops to look.
It was a bright sunny day and a bit too windy to walk along the ocean. I decided to pack a lunch and head out to a quiet spot along the Noyo River. I sat in my car happily munching away, enjoying the river and the passing by of an occasional kayaker or a small boat. With my appetite satisfied I was curious to see if I could observe any wildlife along the river. My aim to learn more about this watershed started here on site and a bit away from the hustle and bustle of the Noyo Harbor port, boat docks and fishing activities.
I left my car and started walking along an area of the Noyo River that is accessible to the public. My expectations were not very high.
Lo and behold there was this interesting lively scenario as I peered over the edge of a barrier. There in one corner of the world of the Noyo River I came upon this interesting situation. I was so captivated by this Western Gull carrying on with his having his own lunch and a Turkey Vulture and other companions also observing! I carefully drew closer hoping that this little ensemble would not notice me. I slowly pulled out my iPhone and began filming.
I hope you are as delighted as I was to watch these fascinating critters. Do make sure to see the curious seal gliding under the water to check out the scene right before and after the boat passes by —enjoy! ( Tip: If the sound of the wind gusts are too much- turn down the volume)
Video and photo copyright 2023 by Mary Rose Kaczorowski
Some Facts about the Noyo River
The Noyo River flows down from the steep and rugged Mendocino Mountain Range and through various ecosystems and over various terrains and terraces. This western portion of this dynamic watershed has the the Noyo streaming out to the Pacific Ocean and through Noyo Harbor. The Noyo River has been designated as an impaired water body because of the burden of high sediment loads. The Noyo is one of several rivers running through the Northern California Coast Mountain Ranges. These mountains run north–south and parallel to the California coast.
The Noyo River watershed is a forested, coastal watershed in Mendocino County, California and drains approximately 260.3 west of Willits, California. A significant proportion of the watershed is in Jackson State Demonstration Forest and the remainder of the watershed is primarily owned by timber companies and still subject to logging. The City of Fort Bragg uses surface water from the Noyo River during the winter and spring, to supplement the city’s drinking water supply.
The Noyo River Watershed and its tributaries support a diversity of wildlife. Bears, beavers, fish, birds, Mule deer, mountain lions, and a whole array of flora and other fauna can be found throughout this watershed and the Northern California Coast Mountain Ranges.
The Noyo River and its tributaries support Central California Coast Coho salmon, which are listed as endangered, and populations of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. These species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. California Central Coast Coho have undergone a precipitous decline in the last 100 years and are now on the brink of extinction. Conservation groups, local and state and federal agencies, fisheries scientists, and the fishing industry has been working to support the survival of these species.
Resources:
Meet The Locals— Marine Wildlife https://www.noyocenter.org/marine-wildlife
Gallagher, Sean. (2000). Results of the Winter 2000 Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Spawning Survey on the Noyo River, California with Comparison to Some Historic Habitat Information.
Fort Bragg's Water Sources https://www.city.fortbragg.com/departments/public-works/water-conservation.
Recovery of Endangered and Threatened Species https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/recovery-endangered-and-threatened-species
The InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council https://sinkyone.org/achievements
