Rabbit Island

Named for its resemblance to the fluffy counterpart, Rabbit Island is a portion of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve composed of 55 acres of salt marsh and coastal strand habitat. In 2006, tidal flow was restored to the southern half of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, this was the first step in restoring Rabbit Island to a thriving refuge for salt marsh species.

Since 2016 the Bolsa Chica Conservancy has been hard at work removing invasive weeds, and planting native plant species. With a combined effort of many dedicated volunteers, staff, and interns, and funding provided by the California State Coastal Conservancy, and OC Community Foundation: Warne Family Fund, the BCC has been able to:

Use solarization and hand-pulling to remove invasive ice plant and other invasive plant species from 15.3 acres of coastal strand
Spread seeds from native dune and coastal plant species
Install over 100 plugs of native cordgrass in surrounding areas
Install 5 floating nest rafts for the endangered Light-Footed Ridgway’s Rail (Rallus obsoletus)

BCC continues to monitor flora and fauna with monthly bird surveys conducted in partnership with the Sea and Sage Audubon Society, and annual plant community surveys and mapping. Additionally remote cameras mounted to the floating nest rafts carefully monitor nesting behavior of Ridgway’s Rails.

Additionally, other wildlife such as raptors, coyotes, small mammals, marine invertebrates, and young marine fish have been observed living and foraging within Rabbit Island. It is BCC’s goal to continue to maintain and restore this unique habitat.