Dear Friend,
Happy New Year 2022!!! We are hoping 2022 is filled with more positive news and less disastrous news compared to 2021. But that's not to say 2021 didn't have its own share of successes. January kicks off with the first King Tides of the year (Jan. 2nd-3rd). The Sea and Sage Audubon Chapter's Christmas Bird Count at Bolsa Chica is on Jan. 2nd. We also have a few more calendars available just in case you need some stunning Bolsa Chica wildlife images to grace your walls.
If you like our e-newsletters please consider sharing it with your friends and family. You can also follow us on Instagram or Facebook to catch our weekly "Notes from the Mesa" and "Wildlife Wednesdays" as we share with you what we see and find every week!
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2021 was a year that was fraught with trouble heard around the world. From both devastating Elegant Tern events to the oil spill right off the Huntington Beach coast, Bolsa Chica was in the news a lot. However, 2021 was also filled with happy successes too.
- Opening up our volunteer events and free tours after being closed due to COVID
- The kickoff of the tern nesting island restoration
- The positive impact of all the postcards you sent to CDFW Director Bonham to increase Warden presence at Bolsa Chica (read more in our 2021 Fall Newsletter)
- Increasing our ability to offer 2 free tours a month for the community
- Bolsa Chica Stewards helping to restore nesting sites, add split rail and cactus to protect sensitive habitats, and other restoration work with CDFW
- Supplying new clay tiles that act as shelters for the plover and tern chicks
- New maps, games, and other digital media for the public
- Hiring new staff to expand our projects and programs to better serve Bolsa Chica
Can't wait to see what achievements and successes BCLT will have in 2022! We couldn't do any of this important work without your support. THANK YOU!
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Christmas Bird Count (CBC) |
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Have you heard about the Christmas Bird Count? What is it and why is it called the Christmas Bird Count anyway?
The Christmas Bird Count was started in 1900 on Christmas Day (hence the name) by Ornithologist Frank Chapman who was an officer with the [National] Audubon Society. He and 26 other birders created this tradition to promote bird conservation by counting, instead of hunting, birds on Christmas Day. Yes, back in the early 1900's there was a holiday tradition called the Christmas Side Hunt.
Now in its 122nd year, the CBC is still counting birds in over 20 countries! Every year the count takes place between Dec. 14 to Jan. 5th. Bolsa Chica is part of the count through the Sea and Sage Audubon Chapter. This count is happening on Jan. 2nd, 2022. So, if you happen to see a bunch of folks with spotting scopes, binoculars, and clipboards, it could be them!
Interested in learning more about the history of CBC, FAQs, or about our local CBC and how to get involved?
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Did the end of the year fly by for you too? Good news, BCLT still has a few more calendars available for order! Free shipping or pick it up in the office. You can also grab one at our monthly table (2nd and 3rd Sunday at 10am South Parking Lot off PCH).
Each calendar is in a 13-month format filled with gorgeous wildlife images every month. Scroll down to the Bird of the Month to take a sneak peak at this month's cover photo.
1 Calendar is $15 or take advantage of oour popular 5 for the price of 4 deal!
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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AND FREE TOURS |
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BCLT Stewards Habitat Restoration Volunteering
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Dates
Sunday Jan.2nd, 9am-12
Saturday Jan. 15th, 9am-12
Pre-registration and sign up on our website is required. Capped at 40 volunteers for each event.
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Miracles of the Marsh Docent Volunteering
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Contact the office for more information
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BCLT Outreach and Free Public Tour
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Dates
Sunday Jan. 9th, 10am-12
Sunday Jan. 16th, 10am- 12
Contact the office for more information
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Beach Clean Ups
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When: Every Monday at 8:30am from November to March
Where: 20th Street entrance to Huntington City Beach
Who: Everyone! Most of the supplies are provided, but if you want, please bring a reusable bucket or bag, and gloves.
*If you have a group that you want to bring, please email Kim@BCLandTrust.org and we can work to accommodate your group.*
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January Bird of the Month: American Avocet
This beautiful shorebird has distinctive markings and colors which set it apart from other wetlands birds. Black, gray, and white most of the year, the Avocet gets a bright splash of cinnamon color on its head and neck during breeding season. It gracefully sweeps its slender, upturned bill across mud flats as it forages for crabs, shrimp, insects, and aquatic vegetation.
18” long; 31” wingspan; 11 oz
photo: Brian Goebel
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Reminders When You Visit at Bolsa Chica
Here are some things to remember during your visit:
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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.
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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.
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Support Bolsa Chica Today |
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The mission of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust is the acquisition, preservation, and restoration of all of Bolsa Chica and the education of the public to its natural wonders and cultural significance.
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Photo Credits:
banner- Jeff Rokos, Ridgway's Rail and Red-breasted Merganser- Steve Eric Smith, calendar cover, American Avocet- Brian Goebel, wetland landscape, PCH trail, bridge- E. Chin, Stewards- James Huang, Miracle docent with kids, Elegant Terns on beach- Marinka Horack
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