Bolsa Chica Inner Bay

Ecosystem Overview

The Bolsa Chica Inner Bay ecosystem supports 93 documented wildlife species across 75 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 7% more documented species, Bolsa Chica Inner Bay offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #21 for species diversity among 73 Orange County County natural areas, placing it in the 71th 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

#21

Regional Rank

Out of 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional28 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#21 of 73 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

-7% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 93 total documented species.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Very Common42 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Very Common40 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Very Common39 obs.

Anas acuta

pintail, northern pintail

Very Common28 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Very Common28 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common26 obs.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Common25 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common25 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Common24 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common24 obs.

Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter

Common23 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Occasional21 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Occasional19 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Occasional18 obs.

Sterna forsteri

forster’s tern

Occasional17 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Occasional17 obs.

Egretta rufescens

Reddish Egret

Occasional15 obs.

Podiceps auritus

horned grebe

Rare15 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Rare15 obs.

Numenius americanus

long-billed curlew

Rare13 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

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

$6.99

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

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$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-3%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

-7% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-7% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+35% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-7% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-7% 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

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-3%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Orange County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

Anaheim

Importance: 0.59

100 species

-7% vs. current

Orange County

Importance: 0.55

100 species

-7% vs. current

Santa Ana

Importance: 0.50

69 species

+35% vs. current

Fullerton

Importance: 0.47

100 species

-7% vs. current

Costa Mesa

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Orange

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Newport Beach

Importance: 0.46

100 species

-7% vs. current

Mission Viejo

Importance: 0.44

100 species

-7% 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

#21

Regional Rank

Out of 73 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common19 species

Common28 species

Occasional28 species

Rare18 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#21 of 73 locations

71th percentile for diversity

vs. Anaheim

-7% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 93 total documented species.

Egretta thula

Snowy Egret

Very Common42 obs.

Tringa semipalmata

Willet

Very Common40 obs.

Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup

Very Common39 obs.

Anas acuta

pintail, northern pintail

Very Common28 obs.

Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown Pelican (Southern)

Very Common28 obs.

Mareca americana

American Wigeon

Common26 obs.

Podiceps nigricollis

black-necked grebe

Common25 obs.

Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Duck

Common25 obs.

Ardea alba

Great Egret

Common24 obs.

Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead

Common24 obs.

Melanitta perspicillata

Surf Scoter

Common23 obs.

Mergus serrator

Red-breasted Merganser

Occasional21 obs.

Podilymbus podiceps

Pied-billed grebe

Occasional19 obs.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

American White Pelican

Occasional18 obs.

Sterna forsteri

forster’s tern

Occasional17 obs.

Limosa fedoa

Marbled Godwit

Occasional17 obs.

Egretta rufescens

Reddish Egret

Occasional15 obs.

Podiceps auritus

horned grebe

Rare15 obs.

Nycticorax nycticorax

night heron, black-crowned night heron

Rare15 obs.

Numenius americanus

long-billed curlew

Rare13 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 93 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.