Dear Friend,

June is the month when the Miracles of the Marsh program squeezes in the last few 3rd grade tours before summer break starts, and when the Bolsa Chica Stewards switch gears from planting native species to tending them and other maintenance activities.

Starting June 6th, the CA Invasive Species Action Week kicks off followed by the National Pollinator Week on June 22nd. Come out and enjoy the buckwheat blooms, an important source of summer food for pollinators and birds. We are also announcing a new baseball hat design just in time for Father's Day! There is a limited number available, so get it before it's gone for good.

Happy Juneteenth, Father's Day, and First Day of Summer/Summer Solstice!

ps. our second Sunday outreach and free tour day is cancelled because of Father's Day.

Until next time, see you on the trails.

The California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) is a statewide, week long event created to increase public awareness of invasive species and promote public participation year round in invasive species management. This year it is from Sat. June 6th to Sun. June 14th.

Bolsa Chica has its fair share of invasive species. The Bolsa Chica Stewards have been tackling this issue for years and have made tremendous progress. By removing the invasive species before it goes to seed and replacing the weeds with native plants, we have been restoring native Coastal Sage Scrub and Grasslands habitats on the mesa. During CISAW we have a public volunteer day on Sun. June 7th where you can get first hand experience with us.

Read more about invasive plant species on our blog post and sign up to volunteer with the Bolsa Chica Stewards!

We are releasing a new hat design just in time for Father's Day! A deep blue in color, this cotton baseball hat's front is embroidered with a flying Snowy Egret. The iconic bird shows off its flashy yellow feet and elegant white wings. With an adjustable band on the back, one size fits most.

Need we say more? This is a limited design run, so once we are out, we're out. Order yours today!

The annual wildflowers are done blooming, but some of the shrubs and bushy plants are still dotting the mesa in color. Sages and monkeyflowers will continue for a little while longer, but the buckwheats are going to steal the show; like this CA buckwheat blooming along the fence. The flowers can be white to pink and turn into a dark rust color in the later summer months. These are a favorite pollinator and seed plant for the local wildlife, especially when many of the other native plants' blooms are spent.

Southern tarplant (an endangered plant), narrow leaf milkweed (monarch butterfly staple), and a few other species will also add color and be important food sources over the summer. They might not be as big or vibrant, but there are indeed flowers in the summer if you look close enough.

Bolsa Chica has snakes, even rattlesnakes. 🐍 The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake is our local one and are active when it gets hot. Now you know, but do you know what to do? Here are some guidelines from the CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife on WHAT TO DO OR NOT DO if you encounter a rattlesnake (and any snake for that matter).

🚨 What hikers should do if they encounter a rattlesnake?

• Stay alert when outdoors.

• Stay away from snakes if you do encounter them.

• Wear sturdy boots and loose-fitting long pants. DO NOT wear sandals or flip-flops in brushy areas.

• Stay on well-used trails. Avoid tall grass, weeds, and heavy underbrush.

• Check rocks, stumps, or logs before sitting down.

• Shake out sleeping bag and tent before use.

• Let others know where you are going, when you plan to return, and carry a cell phone. Hike with a companion when possible.

o DO NOT grab “sticks” in water. Rattlesnakes can swim.

o DO NOT let dogs off leash. Dogs are at increased risk when sniffing the ground near brushy areas.

o DO NOT try to touch or handle a snake, dead or alive. Dead rattlers may still inject venom shortly after death.

⚕️ In the event of a snake bite:

• Stay calm - but act quickly!

• Remove items which may constrict swelling (e.g., watches, rings, shoes).

• Transport victim to the nearest medical facility.

o Do NOT apply a tourniquet.

o Do NOT pack the bite area in ice.

o Do NOT cut the wound with a knife or razor.

o Do NOT use your mouth to suck out the venom.

• If a pet is bitten - Speak to your veterinarian about canine rattlesnake vaccine options. (remember, pets are not allowed at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve) 

June's Animal of the Month: CA Least Tern

Bolsa Chica is an important nesting site for these endangered birds. Their numbers are diminishing largely due to loss of wetlands habitats, especially in coastal California. CA Least Terns are the smallest North American terns. They can be found on the California and Baja coasts in the summer. CA Least Terns nest on beaches and wetlands where they lay their eggs in depressions right on the sand. They migrate to Central America and southward as far as Brazil for the winter. Like most terns, they hunt for fish by dramatically plunge diving from the sky into the water, often coming up with fish. They also eat crustaceans and insects. Calls include high-pitched kip, chi-rit, and k’rrik.

9” long; 20” wingspan; 1.5 ounces

photo: Les Coombes

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

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Photo Credits:

Green Heron- Jay Spring, crystalline ice plant, baseball hat, buckwheat - E. Chin, rattlesnake- Beverley Hansen, Tabling and Stewards- Bequi Howarth, Miracles docent with kids outreach table- Jeff Rokos, volunteers on beach- Mike McMahan, landscape-Eileen Rizzacasa, CA Least Tern- Les Coombes