terns

 Late spring and summer is the time of the terns at Bolsa Chica. The Forster's terns are courting and displaying and the least terns are back from their wintering grounds. 

Last summer I noticed several Forster's terns using the walk bridge railing as a perch from which they could launch themselves into the water after fish rather than hovering in the air. I'm not sure if this bird is one of the individuals I saw last year, but it was using the railing in the same way. This one stood its ground as I walked past it. Is it my imagination, or does it look like it has a bit of an attitude? 

Earthday at Bolsa Chica

Wow! What a crowd! Over 500 people signed in to help clear non-native plants and plant natives on the Bolsa Chica Mesa.

Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook spoke, then the crowd walked along Warner Ave. to the mesa.

We hope that by the fall there will be a walk bridge across the channel so we don't have to risk walking in the bike lane on Warner any longer.

Over 1,000 new native plants were planted by the end of the day. It was a record turn out for participation at Bolsa Chica on Earth Day.

Spring in full swing at Bolsa Chica

California poppies and primroses are in bloom along the dunes. 

The elegant terns are back, and more are arriving each day to court and soon lay eggs and rear young. No least terns sited yet, but I did see three snowy plover nests in the nesting area just north of the footbridge.

The black skimmers have yet to arrive, and while many of the ducks have left, the few ruddy ducks left are indeed ruddy with bright blue bills. Many dowitchers have started their journey to Alaska, and Canada to breed. The ones I saw today were all busy filling up for the long flight in their future.

The bird on the left has already molted into breeding plumage, while the one on the right is still in winter plumage.