Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
California · Southwest
Moderate
October-May
Free
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is a productive birding destination in California, with 299 species recorded on eBird. This desert and chaparral habitat attracts Brant, Northern Shoveler, and American Wigeon among many others. The unique desert and riparian habitats support specialty species alongside wintering and migrating birds.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Red-lored Amazon
Amazona autumnalis
Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio martinica
Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
Gadwall x Mallard (hybrid)
Mareca strepera x Anas platyrhynchos
White-winged Dove
Zenaida asiatica
Neotropic Cormorant
Nannopterum brasilianum
Ruff
Calidris pugnax
Least Tern
Sternula antillarum
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Black Tern
Chlidonias niger
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusilla
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Gadwall
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Semipalmated Plover
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Long-billed Curlew
Willet
Sanderling
Heermann's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Western Gull
Caspian Tern
Elegant Tern
Royal Tern
Black-crowned Night Heron
Reddish Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Ridgway's Rail
Birding Tips
- 1
Start birding at dawn when desert birds are most active before the heat.
- 2
Check around water sources, which concentrate desert species.
- 3
Carry extra water and sun protection; mornings are the prime birding window.
- 4
Check eBird hotspot data before visiting to see recent sightings and what species are being reported.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Bolsa Chica State Beach
- Huntington Beach
- Upper Newport Bay
More in California
California Birding Guide
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