Bolsa Chica Tidal Basin

Ecosystem Overview

The Bolsa Chica Tidal Basin ecosystem supports 91 documented wildlife species across 63 taxonomic genera. Located in Orange County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 19 frequently observed species and 18 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Anaheim nearby has 9% more documented species, Bolsa Chica Tidal Basin offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #22 for species diversity among 73 Orange County County natural areas, placing it in the 70th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#22

Regional Rank

Out of 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common27 species

Occasional27 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#22 of 73 locations

70th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

-9% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 91 total documented species.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Very Common37 obs.

Branta bernicla

dark-bellied brent goose

Very Common29 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Very Common26 obs.

Numenius americanus

long-billed curlew

Very Common25 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Very Common24 obs.

Calidris mauri

Western Sandpiper

Common23 obs.

Egretta rufescens

Reddish Egret

Common19 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common18 obs.

Sterna forsteri

forster’s tern

Common17 obs.

Calidris minutilla

least sandpiper

Common17 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common15 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional15 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Occasional14 obs.

Thalasseus elegans

Elegant Tern

Occasional14 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Occasional12 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Occasional12 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional12 obs.

Numenius phaeopus

whimbrel

Rare11 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Rare10 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Rare9 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 91 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Bolsa Chica Tidal Basin. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Bolsa Chica Tidal Basin. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-5%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

-9% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-9% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+32% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-9% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-9% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-9% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-9% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-9% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Orange County County.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-5%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

-9% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-9% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+32% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-9% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-9% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-9% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-9% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-9% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#22

Regional Rank

Out of 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common27 species

Occasional27 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#22 of 73 locations

70th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

-9% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 91 total documented species.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Very Common37 obs.

Branta bernicla

dark-bellied brent goose

Very Common29 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Very Common26 obs.

Numenius americanus

long-billed curlew

Very Common25 obs.

Pluvialis squatarola

grey plover

Very Common24 obs.

Calidris mauri

Western Sandpiper

Common23 obs.

Egretta rufescens

Reddish Egret

Common19 obs.

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Common18 obs.

Sterna forsteri

forster’s tern

Common17 obs.

Calidris minutilla

least sandpiper

Common17 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Common15 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Occasional15 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Occasional14 obs.

Thalasseus elegans

Elegant Tern

Occasional14 obs.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Occasional12 obs.

Charadrius semipalmatus

Semipalmated Plover

Occasional12 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Occasional12 obs.

Numenius phaeopus

whimbrel

Rare11 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Rare10 obs.

Arenaria interpres

ruddy turnstone

Rare9 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 91 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.