Bolsa Chica Ready for Return of Terns

The third annual Return of the Terns at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve today will give nature lovers an opportunity to do some bird watching and to learn more about the endangered California least tern.

“We want to educate the public to the beauty of nature and responsibility for endangered species,” said Adrianne Morrison, executive director of Amigos de Bolsa Chica, a sponsor of the event.

The least terns, which nest at Bolsa Chica through August, began arriving this month from their winter homes in Central and South America.

“The terns are here, they’re all over the place, and they’re doing the courtship behavior, which is a delight to see,” said Phil Smith, program director of the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, also a host of the event.

More than 350 volunteers cleaned vegetation on the reserve’s nesting islands to prepare for the terns’ return.

“We removed more vegetation this year than in any other year, so there is a lot more nesting space,” Smith said.

The birds nest only in open, sandy areas, where they make shallow depressions to lay their eggs.

As part of Earth Day activities at Bolsa Chica, Morrison said, docents will be on hand to answer questions from the public.

Also, 14 nonprofit environmental agencies and organizations will set up displays and hand out educational material, and nature photographers and artists will present educational exhibits.

Free parking will be available at Bolsa Chica State Beach and at the city lot on the west side of Warner Avenue near the fire station. Shuttle vans will take visitors to the reserve parking lots.

Smith said visitors will also be able to visit other wetlands habitats, such as those of the black skimmers, egrets, black-necked stilts and the elegant, Caspian, Forster’s and royal terns.

The day’s events are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: (714) 846-1114 or (714) 897-7003.

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Terns Around

California least terns, included on both the federal and Califonia endangered species lists, are due back at the Bolsa Chica wetlands this weekend. Some tiny tern tips:

BIOLOGY

* Body length of 9 inches with 20-inch wing span

* Primarily white, with black head and distinctive white-feather cap

* Small fish are main food

* Female lays one to three buff-colored spotted eggs, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long.

* Males and females help in the 21-day incubation, defending eggs, then chicks, from predators

* Chicks able to fly three weeksafter hatching

BOLSA HABITAT

* Bolsa Chica is seasonal home for 10% of world’s least terns

* Two sandy islands in the wetlands were created to provide nesting areas

* About 200 pairs nest each year from April to August, leaving by October to winter in Ecuador and Costa Rica

Sources: Adrianne Morrison and Amigos de Bolsa Chica; Researched by DEBRA CANO / For The Times