Seasonal wetlands are areas that fill with rain water, which brings plants back to life and creates temporary but very important habitat for birds and other animals. During the summer, seasonal wetlands can dry completely.

The Killdeer is a small bird, only 9-11 inches tall with a wingspan of 1-1/2 to 2 feet. They eat primarliy insects and can be found in fields and pastures, inland beaches, lawns and school yards. To distract a predator from its nest, the killdeer pretends to have a broken wing and hops away from the nest. When the predator is far enough from nest, the killdeer flies away. Their eggs are also protected by camouflage—eggs are speckled like rocks to blend in with the ground where they nest.

Coyote Brush grows in upland drier areas, above the water. It is a wiry evergreen shrub with small, dull, rough gry-green leaves. It produces clusters of whitish-green flowers, which become 'hairy' seeds. Its name comes from the fact that the white fluffy flowers on the female brush look like the fur on a coyote. The flowers attract many insects. The insects and the seeds of the coyote brush provide food for birds and other wildlife. It can grow to 10-15 feet in height. Coyote Brush is native to California.

Ground Squirrels are 14-20 inches tall, and their tails can be almost 9 inches long. They eat clover, plantain, dandelion and other greens, as well as nuts and seeds. Several animals may occupy one burrow but each uses its own entrance. Their burrows are often reused by Burrowing Owls.

The Ring-necked pheasant varies in size from 2 to 2-1/2 feet. Their wingspan is about 2-1/2 feet. They are omnivorous and eat insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates, seeds, grain, and fruit. They can be found in open grasslands, upland areas of wetlands, and seasonal wetlands. This bird originally comes from Asia, but has successfully spread across North America. Young Pheasants will be fully independent after only 10-12 weeks!

The Burrowing Owl is a very important bird in Santa Clara County. Its population is quickly decreasing as urban development takes over its habitat. It is one of the only owls that are active during the day. They are 9-10 inches tall with a wingspan just under 2 feet long. They eat small rodents and nest in the ground in abandoned animal burrows. Burrowing owls are found in open grasslands and the upland areas of seasonal wetlands.