Upper Bay Is Place to See Migrating Waterfowl

Upper Newport Bay, often associated with sun and summer recreation, is also a great place for winter activities, especially bird watching.

Like the Bolsa Chica wetlands in Huntington Beach, the bay is a renowned spot for seeing migrating waterfowl during the winter.

Among the winged visitors to Orange County’s coastal wetlands each year are black-bellied plovers, Belding’s savannah sparrows, Western sandpipers and short-tailed clapper rails.

The build up of silt in the bay has reduced the number of wintering birds in recent years, but avid watchers say the animals are still making annual stops.