Bolsa Chica Wildlife Conservationists Work To Save 2K Tern Eggs

BOLSA CHICA, CA — Conservationists will try and save whatever Elegant Tern eggs they can after a drone crashed into Tern Island at Bolsa Chica wetlands, officials say.

On May 13, two drones were flown illegally over the Tern Island portion of the preserve, the Bolsa Chica Wetlands Conservancy reported. One of them crashed, causing several thousand Terns to abandon the nests and what amounted to about 2,000 eggs, experts estimate.

Both drone pilots were cited in the incident by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The identities of the pilots were not released.

Now, the reserve manager Melissa Loebl is working with nearby wildlife conservationists to try and save as many of the eggs as possible.

Predators have gotten some. Others may no longer hatch due to their abandonment.

Debbie McGuire, Executive Director of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, talked with Patch about the possibility of lending a hand.

"We are talking with Bolsa Chica biologists about finding viable eggs," McGuire said. "Though we have the capability of helping the incubators to hatch and released terns, we are not sure how many, if any of the 2,000 eggs would make it."

It's been too long since the crash on May 13, she says.

According to their website, the 1,500 acres of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands is the home of thousands of birds and other wildlife and is the largest saltwater marsh between Monterey Bay and the Tijuana River Estuary in Mexico. There are 800 species of plants and animals that live there. Now, the tern population could be at risk of losing an entire generation of their young.

The drone that flew over and crashed in that area was seen as a predator by the birds, experts say. Now, the safe space is devoid of the birds who otherwise would have nested there. As reported by ABC7, it is ironic that the thing that drew the drone pilots to fly over that sacred space is the very thing that it drove away.

The Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Center has cared for abandoned tern nests in the past, McGuire says. They have also helped the threatened Snowy Plover. They are holding out hope that they may lend a hand and help incubate the eggs, even with a low success rate.

"We do have another threatened species that came in," she says.

A sick Ridgeway's Rail was found near the trails in the wetlands and brought to the center. Though she had chicks, McGuire says the father is currently caring for her babies. "Mom and dad Rail's both take parental responsibilities," she tells us.

Flying drones over the protected area is not only illegal but creates enormous problems, as seen by the Tern disappearance.

When they crash, people walk in protected areas to retrieve them, the conservancy reported over Twitter.

There are also reports of people taking dogs through the trails or riding electric bikes at speed, causing damage to the wildlife people are coming to see, McGuire says.

Dogs, bikes, and drones are not allowed at the preserve, according to Loebl.

"We have had so many animals in our care that have been struck by electric bikes," she says. "We currently have four snake patients that were run over, and we rarely care for snakes at all."

According to ABC7 there will be a land stewardship program over the next year to educate the public on preservation and safety at the preserve.

What can you do to help in the meantime?

According to a Bolsa Chica Conservancy spokesperson over Twitter, "if you live in the area and see a reserve violation, please report it to CDFW's CalTIP hotline at (888)334-2258 or through their smartphone app. Increased reporting will increase warden presence on the reserve."

The Wetlands Wildlife Care Center is always in need of support and volunteers.

"The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center is funded by generous donations from the public," McGuire says. "To keep our doors open, it is essential we receive support from our local community."

Our center is constantly in need of donations, both financial and in-kind items. To find out the best in-kind items to donate, please click here.

For more information, see: www.wwccoc.org