There are a vast array of creeks running throughout our neighborhoods in the San Francisco East Bay, aiding in flood control and draining into the Bay. Despite being often retrofitted with concrete banks, the creeks support an abundance of wildlife. Off the top of my head, I’ve seen: catfish, crappies, crawfish, herons/egrets, ducks, tadpoles/frogs, coyotes, and deer in or around them. Historically, they even once supported steelhead trout and Chinook salmon. Now, there’s one more to add to the list: River Otters! Sleeker than their salt water brethren, river otters are returning home.

River Otter Research and Tracking

• The River Otter Ecology Project

Other Wildlife in the East Bay

• Don Edwards for watching egrets, herons, and pelicans
• Brushy Peak for coyotes, hawks, harriers, and eagles
• Los Vaqueros for bob cats, coyotes, and deer.