Dear Friend,

Happy New Year! Did you set outdoorsy New Year resolutions this year? We've got you covered from everything from volunteering in the dirt, self-guided walks with free trail maps, or even free docent led tours each month. There are also a few 2024 calendars left in the office for the folks who forgot to pick one up during the crazy times of the holidays. This e-newsletter is short and sweet :) We hope you have a great start to your new year!

Is one of your New Year resolutions to volunteer more in your community? We make it easy to accomplish this goal! There are a lot of ways to volunteer that fit your lifestyle and abilities.

• Habitat restoration: First Sunday and third Saturday of each month 9am-12 (North Lot)
• Miracles of the Marsh third-grade education docents: Weekday mornings dependent on school tour dates from January to about June (South Lot; we train you!)
• Tour docents: Second and third Sunday of each month 10am-12 (South Lot; we train you!)
• Beach cleanups (November - March): Monday mornings 8:30- 9:30, Huntington City Beach, 20th Street
• Outreach/tabling: Second and third Sunday of each month at the popup table 9am until about noon (South Lot)

(North Lot= parking lot corner of PCH and Warner Ave.)

(South Lot= parking lot off PCH between Seapoint St. and Warner Ave.)

For dates and more details scroll down the VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AND FREE TOURS section of this enewsletter or visit www.BCLandTrust.org/volunteer

*We also accept virtual volunteers as needed.

Hitting the trails this year? We have handy-dandy free trail maps that you can download, print, or even use directly on your phone through GoogleMaps! www.BCLandTrust.org/trailmaps

We also offer 2 free tours a month! The second and third Sunday starting at 10am. The tours last about two hours and topics ranging from ecology to history are discussed. Of course, the birds are also a big part of the tour, so we suggest you grab a pair of binoculars to see them in all their glory. Don't sweat it if you don't have binoculars. A lot of the birds are surprisingly close and easy to spot with the naked eye. And sometimes there might even be a spotting scope that you can look through to view them too. Don't forget walking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat! www.BCLandTrust.org/tours

*FYI some trails or sections of trails may be closed for restoration, maintenance, or other reasons*

Only a few more left before they are gone for good.

Forget to get this year's calendar in all the holiday hustle and bustle? No worries, you're not too late! We have a few more 'Wings Over Bolsa' calendars left. These calendars are filled with beautiful photographs, all taken here at Bolsa Chica.

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!

January's Bird of the Month: Ring-billed Gull

This medium-sized gull takes three years to reach its adult plumage. During breeding season, it has a white head and breast, pale gray mantle, yellow bill with black ring, black wing tips, and yellow legs. In winter it has some dull streaking. Ring-bills are common at Bolsa Chica. They are also seen across much of the USA. Breeding colonies form in Canada in spring and summer. They are opportunistic scavengers near water, trash dumps, parking lots, anywhere food is available.

17.5” long; 48” wingspan; 1.1 lbs.

photo: Kyle Gerner

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:

sunrise banner- Stephanie White, Calendar Cover- Alan Wendell, Stewards- E. Chin, Stewards in volunteer, sunset- Bequi Howarth, Miracles docent with kids, outreach table- Jeff Rokos, volunteers on beach- Mike McMahan, Ring-billed gull- Kyle Gerner