Wetlands habitats such as Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in
Huntington Beach free to tourists, offer an
attraction experience with birds, plants and
wildlife.
Bolsa (Table) Chica
(Little)
Wetlands Photos, Info
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Calif. Wetlands
If you could park
your car for free and wander amongst a flying, dive-bombing
parade of graceful wings, hear chirps of these fast-moving
creatures zoom past you, above and beside you, this A-ticket
attraction would astound you with its surreal, 3-D effects.
Oddly enough, it really exists and it really is free. And itt's
as good as any show gets (better than Disneyland or Knotts).
Why? Because it is constantly in motion, always changing and you
never know what to expect.
bird attractions
tidal inlet
to wetlands
wetlands
slide show
Wetlands Conservancy New Facilities Video
Welcome to the real world of
the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve wetlands, a habitat for
endangered species of birds, plants and rodents. For
tourists dropping by from New York or Miami...you think your
flight was long? Some of the winged creatures at the Huntington
Beach wetlands have been traveling for months from one end of
the globe to the other. Kestrels, for instance, may travel as
far as the southern tip of South America, then head back north
the U.S. And they don't do this once in a lifetime. They do it
annually!
At the Huntington Beach
wetlands the landscape is somewhat barren, mixed with a
prominent bridge spanning what appears to be a swamp or lake.
For a long time this watery home was fed saltwater through a
waterway system cut-off from the ocean by Pacific Coast Highway
(1). Then in 2006 an incredible multi-million dollar
project created an inlet for ocean water to enter the wetlands
so that now more than ever, you can witness the ebb and flow of
the daily tides.
In addition to your time
arrival for the tides and their height, you will also discover
the birds tend to be more active in their fishing and feeding
during certain hours. You can arrive and barely see
activity within a one and a half mile trail that encompasses the
wetland area. Or you can get there during a feeding frenzy and
be in awe of the skill that the terns, herons, pelicans and
other birds employ to capture their pray and dine on a delicious
meal.
For vacationers seeking a
perspective about the Bolsa Chica wetlands, Bolsa Chica
Interpretative Center contains maps and exhibits highlighting
the coastal environment. Souvenir books, calendars, Tshirts and
postcards are often sold there. Bolsa Chica Conservancy staffs this
facility located in a trailer (free public parking lot) on Warner
Ave. near Pacific Coast Highway intersection.
Did you know that California has experienced over 90% wetlands
loss? Greater losses than any other state in the USA bring dire
consequences as the survival of these beautiful birds increases. While
human hands are largely responsible for bird losses, the development of the
prime coastal lands in Southern, Central and Northern coastal
California, the inland swamps and deltas are not immune to this
degradation and loss of habitats for ducks, Mergansers, Clapper
Rails, Sparrows, Snowy Egrets and a host of gorgeous, graceful
birds.
Bolsa Chica Conservancy (714) 846-1114.
Location: Pacific Coast Highway
between Seapoint & Warner Ave.,
Huntington Beach, California
Size: 300 acres
Free admission &
parking Hours: Daily sunrise to sunset
Restrictions: No bicycles,
dogs or
horses
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