This identified area by Audubon California refers to a 15-mile long strip of coastline just south of the Oregon border that is one of the most ornithologically significant coastal areas in the state. It is anchored on the south by Point St. George and by the Smith River estuary in the north.

The landscapes include pastures, conifer forests, a National Wildlife Refuge, Smith River Bottoms, and the largest lagoon complex on the Pacific Coast south of Alaska. Read more about the wealth of this Important Bird Area at:
http://www.ca.audubon.org/maps/pdf/Del_Norte_Coast.pdf

Land ownership is mixed public and private. Please don't trespass, but contact the Redwood Region Audubon Society to learn of optimum viewing locations and seasons, and tour opportunities.

Audubon California has listed these sites as part of an international effort. Nominated by local experts, the sites are selected according to strict criteria:

- Support over 1% of the global or 10% of the state population of one or more sensitive species
- Support more than nine sensitive bird species
- 10,000 or more observable shorebirds in one day
- 5,000 or more observable waterfowl in one day