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
Loading map...
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
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Tricolored Heron
Egretta tricolor
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Pycnonotus jocosus
Pine Warbler
Setophaga pinus
Oak Titmouse
Baeolophus inornatus
Western Flycatcher (Pacific-slope)
Empidonax difficilis
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Numenius hudsonicus
Hooded Oriole
Icterus cucullatus
Plumbeous Vireo
Vireo plumbeus
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescens
Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsii
Blackburnian Warbler
Setophaga fusca
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Brant
Cinnamon Teal
American Wigeon
Mallard
Lesser Scaup
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Rock Pigeon
American Coot
Killdeer
Long-billed Curlew
Marbled Godwit
Willet
Least Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Western Gull
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
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