Sand pipers foraging for food on the muddy shores of Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing Harbor, California

tidal estuaries mud flats sand piper shore birds sea birds seaweed wetlands rocks elkhorn slough foraging ecosystem tides habitat environment substrate shore conservation wildlife coastal monterey bay muddy nature pacific coast central coast species beaks bird monterey discovery animals natural searching movement reserve marine castroville behaviours watsonville california features wild digging bird watching closeup small head diet short billed research skinny legs