Dear Friend,

Happy Earth Month to all you lovely people! Spring has arrived bringing rain (yay), flowers, and Elegant Terns (yes, they are back)! We have a bunch of new content for you below that we hope you enjoy.

What's your favorite part of April? What will you be doing to celebrate Earth Day this year? We'd love to hear your stories about what Bolsa Chica means to you!

If you like our e-newsletters please consider sharing it with your friends and family. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to catch our weekly "Wildlife Wednesdays" and current events as we share with you what we see and find every week!

The BCLT Winter 2023 Letter from our new Board President is now available to read online. Find out how with your continuing support, the Bolsa Chica Land Trust will be able to continue to help care for and nurture the wildlife habitats and visitor trails, to bring thousands of children to learn about and experience our coastal ecology, and collaborate with the state on the large projects that will ensure the Bolsa Chica’s sustainability. 

 A substantial rainstorm poured down on Bolsa Chica in the third weekend of January 2023. A few days after the storm past rare vernal pools were spotted on the mesa by Bequi (Bolsa Chica Steward) and UCI Fellow Nicholas. Read the new blog post 'Bolsa Chica Fairy Shrimp' to hear their personal stories about this spectacular observation and watch a short video clip at the end.

Reserve Watch Program

Have you heard about the Bolsa Chica Reserve Watch volunteer program? It's pretty neat and is a collaboration between the 3 Bolsa Chica non-profits, Sea and Sage Audubon and CDFW. This program brings a new level of outreach to support and further the greater community’s understanding and respect for our coastal biodiversity and deepening the connection to our amazing natural coastal resources. 

New Bolsa Chica Coaster Set

For your donation of $25 you may choose a set of Bolsa Chica coasters to adorn your table or desk. Made of light tan soapstone, one highlights a wonderful kingfisher photo, and the other, a photo of a popular portion of the trail. These coasters have a cork back to protect your furniture from condensation and scratches. Our two-coaster set is perfect for gifting. Have a glimmer of Bolsa Chica on your table anytime!

April Bird of the Month: Elegant Tern

Flocks of Elegant Terns that number in the thousands arrive at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in March and April with joyous calls of “Kee-rick”. They spend up to a month on the mud flats before settling down on a nest site making shallow scrapes in the sand to lay their eggs. Some years they move on to other places to nest. Elegant Terns nesting success is better when northern anchovies are abundant offshore, but the distribution and abundance of these small fish is heavily influenced by ocean conditions like El Niño. The tidal basin and bays of Bolsa Chica offer other small fish like topsmelt silversides that the Elegant Terns will feed on.

17” long; 34” wingspan; 9 oz

photo: Kurt Bayless

Reminders When You Visit Bolsa Chica

Here are some things to remember during your visit:

• Please stay on the trails. Not only could you disturb nesting birds, but snakes are often not far off the trails.
• Enjoy the flowers, but please do not pick them.
• Do not feed the animals.
• Do not litter. Please pack out your trash, including food scraps.
• No bikes.
• No dogs.
• No drones.
• Enjoy being with nature!
• If you see any BCLT Stewards working along the trail, say hi! We are happy to answer any questions.

Support Bolsa Chica Today!

Questions? Email us at Info@BCLandTrust.org or call (714) 846-1001

Photo Credits:

banner- Kurt Bayless, white pelicans- Katrina Plummer, fairy shrimp- Nicholas Hucko, Reserve Watch- Annie Daw, coasters, E. Chin, Stewards- James Huang, Miracles docent with kids- Bequi Howarth, Bridge tour, Elegant Terns on beach- Marinka Horack, Elegent Terns-Kurt Bayless, snowy bridge- Eric Benson