We don't know if there is anything in the world cuter than a baby otter, so we were pleased as can be to hear that researchers collecting mammal data in the slough saw the birth of a pup with their own eyes.

The new mom chose a quiet, shallow corner of the slough to give birth--one off limits to kayakers and boaters. She cleaned her new pup for hours in the early morning before other otters took notice of the new addition and circled around the new mom/pup pair. We believe this action was to protect the new mom and pup from potential predators in their community.

While the sight of a wild otter birth is incredibly rare, you can keep an eye out for a tiny furry face with a tan circle on each cheek. You might be seeing Andi-- one of the newest additions to the slough.

With all of the threats to the otter population today--from disease to predators--we are so glad that they feel safe enough in Elkhorn Slough to use it as their nursery. Helping the otter population rebound is just one of the many reasons we work to conserve this special place.

There are just a couple of events left before summer is in full swing--you don't want to miss them!

May 20th we have our Member Sunset Walk. Join us for a relaxing stroll through ESF's private lands. You'll see how our restoration efforts have healed the land, smell the flowers in full bloom, and enjoy some light refreshments with fellow Stewardship members as the sun sinks into the slough. This walk is appropriate for all activity levels.

June 12th is our bi-annual Kayak Tour. You can get an entirely different perspective on Elkhorn Slough when you're on the water itself. Paddle the gentle currents of the slough with your fellow members on a guided tour. See otters, seals, sea lions, jelly fish, pelicans and more in their natural environment. This outing is perfect for families and would make a great early Father's Day gift.

To sign up for any of or events, please visit our website

When visitors come to the slough, many are hoping to glimpse otters, seals, deer or birds. Yet let's not forget the wide array of wild life you are likely to encounter when walking the trails. Here's a look at one species you might not have known about.

The gopher snake is a beautiful reptile that you might spy slinking through the grass. It is not poisonous, but it will bite if it feels threatened, so do keep your distance.

Many people see gopher snakes and immediately think it's a rattler, but if you look carefully there are a few ways to tell this harmless snake from its poisonous kin:

• Rattle snakes have distinctly triangle-shaped heads, while gopher snakes have heads just a smidge larger than the rest of their body
• Rattle snakes have thick bodies with dull scales, while gopher snakes are shiny with thinner bodies
• Rattle snakes have rattles on the end of their tails, and a gopher snake has a pointed tail

If you're wondering how anyone could possibly confuse these snakes, here's a good reason: gopher snakes imitate the sound of a rattler--which is more than enough to scare many people off before the can get a good look. A gopher snake, when surprised, will imitate the rattle sound with its hiss and wiggle its tail in the grass to fool potential predators.

Snakes are an important part of the food web--they eat mice and other rodents while also serving as a food source for hawks. This snake is well suited to the slough--it blends in with the environment and has plenty here to eat. While it is exciting to spot an animal with excellent camouflage like this one, please admire them from a distance--especially if you are not sure if you are seeing or hearing a poisonous snake.

The Tidal Wetland Project used Kirby Park for the past several months as a staging area for its recent restoration project at Parsons Slough. As a gesture of appreciation to the Moss Landing Harbor District for sharing this space, TWP has left Kirby Park in even better condition. The parking lot has been reinforced to protect it from the erosive action of the slough's waves. The lot has been repaved and the parking spaces have been given a fresh coat of paint. There is even a new floating dock for kayakers and boaters to launch from.

All of these updates mean that the slough's only wheelchair-accessible trail is now even more user-friendly. Add in the new interpretive signs along the trail and you have a wonderful new look for one of our favorite places.

The Tidal Wetland Project works to restore wetlands in the Elkhorn Slough as part of a partnership between the Elkhorn Slough Foundation and the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.

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