The California Clapper Rail (Railus longirostris obsoletus) is a federally endangered species known to reside in Western Stege Marsh at the Richmond Field Station and in surrounding marshes. The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that there are less than one thousand of these birds remaining in California. The once abundant populations have diminished due to hunting, habitat loss, and predation from non-native species such as the red fox and domestic house cat..
On May 1, 2009 UC Berkeley staff working on restoring portions of Western Stege Marsh observed one of these reclusive birds from the Bay Trail at Meeker Slough and filmed it bathing in slough. To watch the approximately one minute video clip go to the following youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeorQuecEAE
For more information on Clapper Rail conservation please go to the Restoration Page of this website.