NRS :: Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve

Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve is situated on the Northern edge of Mission Bay in San Diego, California and occupies 16 acres of the 30 total acres of Mission Bay Northern Wildlife Preserve. Habitats include South coastal salt marsh, tidal channls, salt flats, mudflats, sand spit, and eelgrass beds.

• Reserve Overview	• Mangrove Eradication Project
• Photos	• Tides and Water Temperature
• Transect Articles	• Teacher Resources
• Current Interns

The Kendall-Frost Marsh is ideal for bird watching, even without entering the Reserve. The best overview of the marsh is from Crown Point Drive, where there are two viewing platforms. From here, many resident and migratory species can be seen, including -- if you're lucky! -- the Light-footed clapper rail, reddish egret, Belding's savannah sparrow, California least tern, and Black skimmers. Check our Species List for a full list of birds who live at the marsh.

The Friends of Mission Bay Marshes is a local group of residents who support the protection of the Reserve's resources and who advise the Reserve staff on public outreach. This outreach kiosk can be seen from Pacific Beach Drive and contains information about the reserve, including more ways the public can become involved with the marsh and the Friends group.

The central location of the Kendall-Frost Marsh to local schools makes it an ideal place for a field-trip. It has recieved visitors from many K-12 schools and other educational organizations. Students learn about the marsh, ecology, watersheds, invasive species, or volunteer their time for a work project.

Because of the large number of educational visits, the Natural Reserve System is providing free educational resources for use at the Reserve.

Clapper Rail Recovery Program. The light-footed clapper rail has been monitored at the Kendall-Frost Reserve since 1980. The major factors in its decline are loss of tidal marshes, predation, and degradation of cordgrass habitat. The active management program at this site includes predator control and artificial nesting platforms and cover.