Birds Flock to Huntington Beach Safe Haven

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

The very first story SurfWriter Girls wrote for Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine (in 2014) was about a special place for migrating birds that is even more special now – Huntington Beach’s Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

We’re excited to revisit Bolsa Chica now because it’s a local treasure. With fewer natural wildlife areas due to urban development, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve has been designated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as a protected coastal wetland.

For our initial research, SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti talked to Joe Shaw, who was then the President of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, and learned how important it is to keep Bolsa Chica in its natural state…something that can be challenging in an era of beachside property development.

Seeing the wetlands for ourselves we were entranced by it. More than just its raw beauty, Bolsa Chica – which means “little pocket” in Spanish – is a sanctuary for migrating birds and provides a tranquil habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife.

Among the birds and wildlife sheltering here are the snowy plover, Savannah sparrow, least tern, great blue heron, snowy egret, red-tailed hawk, and great horned owl, cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, and more.

In the wetlands birds can rest on their long journeys and have a safe place to breed, nest, and rear their young.

Without these pit stops along the way, migrating birds become exhausted and disoriented, unable to reach their destinations and even dying for lack of food, water and shelter.

An oasis of primitive beauty in an urban setting, the 1,700-acre Bolsa Chica reserve wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the efforts of community volunteers, environmental groups like the Surfrider Foundation, and especially the Bolsa Chica Land Trust.

For over 30 years the BCLT has been working to protect all of Bolsa Chica’s mesas and wetlands. “Our mission is the preservation of the entire eco-system,” Kim Kolpin, Executive Director of the Land Trust, told SurfWriter Girls.

In 1997 the BCLT was instrumental in saving 921 acres of wetlands. Since then it has been involved in the ongoing process of restoring the wetlands and educating people on the essential role they play in the environment.

In addition to protecting Bolsa Chica’s wetlands, the BCLT is working to save an area within the preserve known as the Sacred Cogged Stone Site, which was once an ancient village and contains a treasure trove of carved stones.

The cogged stones – over 500 in all – are a mysterious archeological find that could be linked to similar sites discovered in Chile over 9,000 years ago.

Researchers are eager to discover the true meaning of the stones and what they meant to the cultures that created them. Some think that the stones served a utilitarian purpose, while others believe that they were used in religious ceremonies.

By preserving Bolsa Chica, we and future generations will be able to learn more about the stones, this connection with our past….and how the Native Americans lived in harmony at the wetlands.

To the casual observer Bolsa Chica’s raw landscape, dotted with scrub brush and wildflowers, might not seem important, especially when compared to million dollar homes and luxury resorts. But, to migrating birds it’s a lifeline on their journeys home.

On a bright Saturday morning SurfWriter Girls talked to volunteers who were working to restore the wetlands – removing invasive plants and planting drought-tolerant, native vegetation.

Everyone was excited about being able to safeguard this unspoiled stretch of land and maintain a key link in the birds’ migration route.

To surfers everywhere Huntington Beach is famous for being Surf City USA , but to migrating birds it’s a “little pocket” where they can rest.

Surf’n Beach Scene Magazine

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.