About The Reserve
The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve boundaries are Warner Avenue to the north, Seapoint Avenue to the south, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to the west, and residential development to the east.
There are two small parking lots: the north lot southeast of the intersection of Warner and PCH, and the south lot on PCH across from the entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach. The north lot contains the Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Center offers live animal exhibits, aquaria, maps and information about Bolsa Chica and education programs on wetland science. It is the starting point for the Mesa Trail, which leads to the overlook and rest stop at Mesa Point. The south lot is the starting point for the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) Loop Trail, which crosses a wooden bridge, passes two overlooks, and returns to the parking lot via a sand-dune trail paralleling PCH.
Hiking, photography and birdwatching are popular activities at the Reserve. In spring and fall, the Reserve is home to many migratory birds. As many as 321 out of Orange County's 420 bird species have been sighted at the Reserve in the past decade. Bird species at the reserve include the snowy plover, savannah sparrow, least tern, and Caspian tern.
There are special regulations in force for the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve:
- Fishing shall be permitted at designated areas around outer Bolsa Bay only.
- Pets are prohibited from entering the reserve except when they remain inside a motor vehicle.
Among the wildlife in the Reserve are the shovelnose guitarfish and grey smooth-hound sharks. There are also snakes in the grassy areas of the wetlands, ranging from harmless kingsnakes and gopher snakes in various colors to rattlesnakes, including western diamondbacks and Pacific rattlesnakes.
The East Garden Grove Wintersburg Channel runs through the Reserve. Beginning in December 2007, flood control improvements were made by the County of Orange to reinforce the levees damaged in the rains of 2005 and protect the wetlands. In addition, the Newport-Inglewood Fault goes through the reserve.
Read more about this topic: Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
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