Dear Friend,

Happy spooky month!!! Don't let the 'Ghosts' and goblins swoop in to scare you. Ok, silly bird joke* aside, October is an exciting month for us. The Bolsa Chica Stewards' CA native plant planting season kicks off, the Miracles of the Marsh docent training starts, and the weather is whispering of cool misty mornings and spectacular sunsets.

Below you will find the digital copy of the newest Music from the Mesa Newsletter, the Land Trust's quarterly printed newsletter. We are also thrilled to announce the 2024 Wings Over Bolsa calendar is now available on our website along with other gifts to show off your love of Bolsa Chica. Finally, last call to participate in this year's Miracles of the Marsh volunteer docent training that only happens once a year!

*The cover image is of a Northern Harrier hunting prey. Male Northern Harriers are nicknamed 'the Gray Ghost' because of their gray plumage, spooky owl-like face with yellow eyes, and silent stalking behavior.

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!

Did you know we have a quarterly printed newsletter with in-depth stories, important updates, and exciting announcements?! It's called the Music from the Mesa and as a member of the Land Trust, you get it delivered right to your mailbox hot off the press.

In the newest edition read stories about little birds surviving against tough odds, observations of a rare habitat with rarer inhabitants, and read the heartwarming account of being a super CA College Corps Fellow with BCLT. Also learn about important updates about the Goodell Property and how your donations directly help us fulfill our mission.

If you want to receive the newsletter in your mailbox directly, become a member of the Land Trust today!

Drum roll please!!!

Filled with beautiful photographs, all taken here at Bolsa Chica, the Bolsa Chica Land Trust's 2024 Wings Over Bolsa calendars are now available!

Created with photographs from more than 30 generous photographers, the calendar highlights some of the amazing wildlife that we all love. Our fabulous Calendar Committee folks go the extra mile: creating informative captions for the larger photos and matching the photos on each page with the animals you may see that month at the Reserve, and in their corresponding plumage. Wings Over Bolsa brings the natural wonders of the Reserve into your home or office.

With your donation of $15, you will receive one calendar, a donation of $60 will get you five calendars – so you can share your support of Bolsa Chica with your friends. Shipping costs are included.

A huge “Thank You!” to all of the photographers for sharing these wonderful images with us all!

General 'Miracles of the Marsh' Education Docent Volunteer

Do you love walking Bolsa Chica on weekday mornings?

Have a passion for sharing your love of Bolsa Chica with the next generation?

Our 'Miracles of the Marsh' education docent volunteer opportunity is for you! Training begins in October. Join our dedicated and fun team as we educate our local 3rd graders to the wonders of Bolsa Chica. The children and teachers love to learn about this precious resource in the midst of our urban environment.

Volunteer 'Miracles of the Marsh' Docent Tour Coordinator

The on-site tours are structured in a way that reinforces what the students learned during the video presentation and workbooks. There are 3 main topics they learn about, and the kids are broken up into groups when they get off the bus. Once they are halfway through the tour, each group rotates through each topic station led by a dedicated docent (see photo above). As you can tell, the docents really get into it! To keep the fieldtrip on time, each station session is timed to ensure each group gets to visit each topic before heading back to the bus.

This year we need a special volunteer 'Miracles of the Marsh' docent tour coordinator to help with the tours! This position is NOT giving the tours, so you don't have to know anything about the information taught on the tours like animals or history. This volunteer is responsible for making sure the supplies (binoculars, seating pads, etc.) are ready at the stations and that the docents stay on track during their sessions. Basically, it's coordinating the docents and groups between the topic stations in a timely and smooth process.

For more information call the Land Trust office (714) 846-1001, email Beverley@bclandtrust.org or visit our website www.bclandtrust.org

October Bird of the Month: Osprey

Thanks to the outlawing of DDT, among other conservation measures, Osprey populations have made a dramatic increase. Ospreys can be spotted at Bolsa Chica every day as they fly above the bay looking for fish, their main source of food. They dive from the sky, talons first, and grab foot-long fish out of the water. Ospreys are found in a large part of North America, wherever there is water.

22”-25” long; 63” wingspan; 3.5 lbs.

photo: Eileen Rizzaca

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 or ebikes.
• 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:

Northern Harrier banner- Sean Cribbs, CA Least Tern chick- Melissa Borde, Calendar Cover- Alan Wendell, Miracles docents- Jeff Rokos, sage- Jane Lazarz, Stewards- Erin Chin, Miracles docent with kids- Jeff Rokos, Elegant Terns on beach- Marinka Horack, snowy bridge- Eric Benson, Osprey- Eileen Rizzacasa