In The Pipeline: The O'Reilly factor at Bolsa Chica

O'Reilly shared a fascinating scientific report with me. The introduction reads: "Conservation managers often ban dog walking from natural areas fearing that wildlife will see dogs as potential predators and abandon their natural habitats, resulting in outcry at the restricted access to public land. Arguments are passionate on both sides and debate has remained subjective and unresolved because experimental evidence of the ecological impacts of dog walking has been lacking. Here we show that dog walking in woodland leads to a 35% reduction in bird diversity and 41% reduction in abundance, both in areas where dog walking is common and where dogs are prohibited. These results argue against access by dog walkers to sensitive conservation areas."

Point being, the mere presence of a dog in a sensitive area like Bolsa Chica can affect the natural balance, even if it is on leash.

Given that polite, reasonable sense seems to fail with a certain type of person, O'Reilly organized for me eight reasons why the rules at Bolsa Chica (and other sensitive areas) should be respected at all times.

1. Wild birds and rabbits perceive domestic dogs and cats as predators, and dogs and cats negatively impact wild bird populations. Regardless of whether or not a dog is leashed, wild animals will respond by flying or running away. This instinctual response to a perceived danger consumes energy and may result in the abandonment of eggs or young.

2. Some avian species known to occur at Bolsa Chica are protected by the Endangered Species Act. Examples include California least tern, California gnatcatcher, western snowy plover, clapper rail and Belding's savannah sparrow.

3. Domestic pets can and have introduced parasites and disease into wild animal populations, resulting in negative impacts to those populations.

4. Wild species living on the reserve such as coyotes, large raptors and rattlesnakes are potentially lethal to domestic pets.

5. Strong tidal currents can and have resulted in pet drowning.

6. Portions of this reserve, including the mudflats around Rabbit Island and below and between the scenic overlooks, have been designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as critical habitat for the federally listed western snowy plover (a small shore bird). This listed species uses the mudflat areas to forage and has been known to bring its young to these areas. This species is highly sensitive to disturbance.