2025 May 3 Field Trip – Bolsa Chica

Field Trip to the
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Saturday May 3

OVERVIEW

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is an approximately 1,300 acre coastal estuary including wetlands, uplands, saltwater marsh, and foredune habitats.  Over 200 avian species have been identified, and native plant rare species include: Coast woolly heads- Nemacaulis denudata var. denudata (1b.1), and Estuary Seablite- Sueda esteroa (1b.1).

History of the wetlands, past uses, rare birds and the Pacific flyway, and efforts to enhance and protect the Reserve will be discussed/described by Dave Pryor, Senior Scientist.  We will start in the lowland area out of the South parking lot and transition to an upland restoration success story at Wieder Regional Park.

REGISTRATION

Click here to REGISTER for this activity on our Eventbrite page.

LOGISTICS

Date: Saturday May 3, 2025.

Meet: 8 am at the South Parking lot. Enter right from North-bound Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) just past the entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach. The south parking lot is on the inland side of PCH between Seapoint and Warner.  The parking lot fills quickly, recommended to carpool and arrive early.

Attendance: Limited to the first 20 sign-ups.

Fees: There is no attendance fee but donations to Bolsa Chica Conservancy are highly encouraged.  No entrance fee nor parking pass is required.

Leaders: Dave Pryor and Rachel Whitt.

Physical Difficulty: Easy.

What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, camera, wildflower book/notepad, binoculars for birds, water, and hiking shoes/boots.

Facilities: Restroom near the parking/start area only.

Plant Intensity: Moderate.

Time: Approx. 3-4 hours, depending on the group.