Today Kay had a date with Mary and Fay to visit a show at Cal State Fullerton, so I headed out to Bolsa Chica.  I’ve been there plenty of times, but have never really walked to the back areas.  Today I did a loop about 3.5 miles starting at the educational exhibit parking lot, walking across to the dam, circling back toward the trees and back along the outside higher ground area to the car.  Overall not too exciting re birds, but a nice walk.  I did hear and briefly see a California gnatcatcher, saw and heard my first Short-billed dowichers of the year, and my first eBird SBDO in CA.  Had FOY Ruddy turnstones and got some exercise, so a good day.  I stopped briefly at the beach headed south on PCH from Bolsa Chica toward Huntington, but it was generally quiet so I headed home.  General impression:  the best birding at Bolsa Chica is near the parking lot off PCH.