HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., March 3, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- After less than two years of construction work, the largest coastal wetland restoration project in Southern California, the Bolsa Chica Wetland Restoration Project, is nearing completion.
For visitors this means the reopening of the scenic Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Loop Trail, slated for April 2006. Once again birders and nature enthusiasts can walk the one and half miles that cross inland over Inner Bolsa Bay, to the Bolsa Chica bluffs and coastal sand dune system. Three new overlooks will provide panoramic vistas of the restored area. However, public access into bird breeding areas or into the remaining oil field will not be allowed.
Later this summer, officials are expected to open up a newly created tidal inlet to allow the regular ebb and flow of the Pacific Ocean tides into the wetland areas. With the completion of Bolsa Chica project, nearly 600 acres of the tidal wetland ecosystem will have been recreated or rehabilitated to protect and enhance marine habitat for coastal and estuarine fisheries, migratory waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds, and myriad endangered bird species.
Part of the Pacific Flyway, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve beckons visitors with one of the most diverse nesting grounds in the nation. More than 200 types of birds can be seen throughout the year as they migrate between North and South America. Sightings of great blue herons, snowy egrets and brown pelicans are common, as well as an occasional white pelican, peregrine falcon, or marsh hawk.
The winter months, especially November through March, offer high concentrations of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl such as pintails, western grebes, willets and godwits, sandpipers and many more. Up to 70 different species may be counted on a winter day. In the summer months, visitors can observe endangered species such as the California least tern and Belding's savannah sparrow, or watch stilts and avocets raising their chicks, or see stingrays and sea hares in the waters below the walkbridge. Three new nest sites have been built for the California least tern, western snowy plover, elegant tern, royal tern, and black skimmers.
Guided tours of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve are available the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., and the third Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Trained guides lead tours and discuss identification of birds, ecology, and the early history and status of the area. No reservations are required. For tour information, contact the Amigos de Bolsa Chica at (714) 840-1575, or via the Internet at www.amigosdebolsachica.org, or contact the Bolsa Chica Land Trust at (714) 960-9939 or visit www.bolsachicalandtrust.org. In addition, the Bolsa Chica Conservancy operates an interpretive center on site at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. For information about the interpretive center and other conservancy programs call (714) 846-1114, or visit www.bolsachica.org.
To learn more about Huntington Beach, visit the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau's website at www.surfcityusa.com or call 800-729-6232 for a free visitors guide.