Bob Barnes returns to guide a unique, refreshing, & confidence-building approach where absolute beginning & novice birders are the stars; NOT Bob! Helpful, for those experienced birders who take them birding, too. Brief classroom session then extended field trip. As desired, bring binoculars, bird guides, cameras, cell phones, small notebooks/sketch pads, snacks, water. Meets at Morro Bay Comm. Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, Lounge.

Join Emma Cox, Nora Livingston and Reef Comer for a BIG DAY of birding! Expect a fast-paced day, with the possibility of rapid ID of over 100 species at hot spots in SLO County. Special effort on regional specialties and rarities. Pace to be determined by the leader with input from the group. Travel in bus with leader and many in/out stops. Meets at Morro Bay Comm. Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay.

Are you a birder and would like to learn more about your camera and how to capture your own photos? Join professional Nature Photographer Krisztina with KS Nature Photography for a casual session of birding with the added bonus of photography. This program is open to all ages, birders, photographers, and anyone who would like to learn more about the birds and about basic camera techniques for bird photography. Bring your binoculars and any camera, if you like (point and shoot, DSLR, Mirrorless – and any lens). To read more about Krisztina, please visit www.KSNaturePhotography.com. Specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Meets in the parking lot across from 150 Azure Street, Morro Bay.

Join Janney & Steve Tillmann to explore the Villa Creek headlands, beach and estuary, part of Estero Bluffs State Park. This will be a slow-paced walk of 2-3 miles along a beautiful and wild ocean bluff trail along with a sandy beach stroll to Villa Cove. Expect rock-loving shorebirds such as Black and Ruddy Turnstones, Surfbirds, Whimbrels, scoters, terns, gulls. Look for herons and egrets in the estuary created by Villa Creek. Moderate hike due to hiking through sand for 1/2 mile. 21-mile roundtrip carpool from Morro Bay. Meets at the Villa Creek parking lot on CA-1 north of Cayucos. The parking lot  is the fourth parking area 3.3 miles north of where CA-1 becomes single-lane.

Join Doug Stinson and Steve McMasters for a slow-paced walk of 1.5-2 miles along a beautiful and wild ocean bluff trail. Expect rock-loving shorebirds such as Black and Ruddy Turnstones, Surfbirds, Whimbrels, scoters, terns, gulls and maybe a Harlequin Duck. 20 miles round trip by personal vehicle. Moderate. Meets at the "Fig Tree" parking lot on CA-1 north of Cayucos. The Fig Tree Parking lot  is the third parking area 2.1 miles north of where CA-1 becomes single-lane.

Bird photography is one of the most challenging genres of nature photography, but also one of the most rewarding. Led by professional wildlife photographer and naturalist (Jacqueline Deely), this fun, supportive workshop is designed with entry level bird photographers in mind. Build your confidence and become acquainted with the recommended settings, techniques and post processing procedures used to capture compelling images of birds. Gain an understanding of light, composition, exposure and ethical practices while out in the field, as you are thoughtfully guided along the way. An in-class lecture will provide invaluable tips and advice along with time to discuss and share. Known for her friendly, relaxed style, Jacqueline enjoys teaching and is eager to pass on her knowledge and expertise. If you love birds and want to know how to photograph them, this is the master class for you! Part 1 will take place from 7:30am to 12 Noon; after a lunch break, Part 2 is from 2:00pm to 4:30pm. Both sessions will involve driving to other locations. Lunch is NOT included. Meets at Sea Pines Golf Resort. 1945 Solano St, Los Osos.

Join a guided kayak tour of Morro Bay for an up-close look at birds in their natural habitat. Possible sightings include White Pelicans, Brant, Common Loons, and a variety of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Along the way, you’ll paddle past the Heron Rookery, Grassy Island oyster farm, expansive mudflats, and winding Back Bay channels.
The tour uses stable double kayaks, and no prior kayaking experience is required. Please dress in layers and follow these guidelines: wear synthetic or wool clothing (avoid cotton), bring a windbreaker jacket, a hat for sun and wind protection, and shoes that can get wet. Note: trips may be canceled due to weather conditions.
Meets at the Morro Bay State Park Marina Kayak Shop. 10 State Park Road, Morro Bay.

Montana de Oro is a spectacular 8,600-acre state park with untamed coastline and coastal uplands. Join Grace Hayes & Marin Romero to search for rocky-shore shorebirds, water birds, raptors, and passerines in various habitats. Includes 1-2 miles of slow walking. 20 miles round trip by personal vehicle. Moderate. Meets at the Spooner Ranch House, 3550 Pecho Valley Road, Los Osos. From Los Osos, west on Los Osos Valley Road, becomes Pecho Valley Road. Ranch House is 5.2 miles from Los Osos.

Bird with Dorian Anderson & Van Pierszalowski on Cambria's Fiscalini Ranch on a moderate three-mile hike through grassland, mixed oak/Monterey pine forest and coastal bluffs. Expect a diversity of birds, including sparrows, birds of prey, Pygmy Nuthatches and rocky shore shorebirds. Pace will be determined by leader and desires of the group. 50 miles round trip by personal vehicle. Meets at Fiscalini Ranch south end, 2799 Windsor Blvd, Cambria.

Join Rouvaishyana and Michael Mulroy to explore the Estero Bay Community Garden looking for hummingbirds, songbirds and others species. The walk will continue through Del Mar Park, then along Panorama Drive to see raptors, meadowlarks, and possibly some non-avian wildlife. The trip will end by backtracking along the same route. Spotting scopes not needed, but optional. Meets at Del Mar Park, Morro Bay, north entrance at east end of Island Street. Past 500 Island Street, Morro Bay.

Join Ann Stockert & Todd Easterla to explore the birding hot spots in Los Osos. Expect to find birds in a variety of habitats including coastal scrub, beach, tidal marsh, mudflats, open bay, and willow thickets. Explore 6-8 birding hotspots including Elfin Forest, Audubon Overlook, Back Bay, Sweet Springs, Doris Ave Marsh, and Pecho Willows. Meets at Sweet Springs, 660 Ramona Avenue, Baywood-Los Osos.

Bird with Teodelina Martelli at Pecho Willows & Cuesta Inlet. This small but highly important bay habitat is an ebird hotspot where shorebirds and ducks gather during migration and in the winter.  The Pecho Marsh is thick with willows and a special birding spot for locals where a number of rare birds have been seen over the years. Meets in the parking area at the north end of Pecho Road, address is 2-1798 Pecho Rd, Los Osos. If the parking lot is full, park out on Binscarth Road.

Bird songs are Nature's Music. We can experience and enjoy this magical music no matter how good we are at finding birds with our eyes. These sounds are already coming at us from 360 degrees. The focus of this Master Class by Roy Poucher is to increase our birding enjoyment by improving our skills as auditory birders. Some prior experience trying to identify birds by ear will surely be useful, but all experience levels will gain great value. Explore the principles of describing bird vocalizations in general, plus become familiar with specific vocalizations of common birds in the Morro Bay area. This Master Class workshop is part 1 of a 2-part learning process, with part 2 being the Master Class field trip. Attendees should choose either of two field trips: on Friday (#218) or on Sunday (#410). Meets at the Baywood Inn, 1335 3rd St, Los Osos. Conference Room is adjacent to the parking lot.

Get a jump start for your bird festival experience. Join Robbie Revel and Karen Watts to learn the techniques needed to boost your birding skills and get a preview of the birds you are likely to see during the weekend. The presentation includes slides, videos, demonstrations of Merlin App and a number of bird mounts that will be used to illustrate the criteria for bird identification. You will practice making observations, learn to use binoculars and field guides and learn about resources available for ongoing skill building. Easy, family oriented, but not appropriate for children younger than 9 years of age. Meets at Morro Coast Audubon, 601 Embarcadero #14, Morro Bay. The office is on the second floor of the Gallery at Morro Bay.

Laguna Lake and the surrounding park are a migratory stop and home to many waterfowl, including ducks, gulls, grebes, shorebirds, herons, egrets, Snow Geese. Join Greg Miller & Mark Mushkat to see these and other birds like House Finch, Goldfinch, meadowlarks, raptors and even a possible Loggerhead Shrike. Beginners welcome! Includes 1 mile of level walking. 30 miles round trip by bus. Easy. Meets at Morro Bay Comm. Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay.

Join Richard Neidhardt, Rusty Scalf and Debbie Jo Bird to enjoy close views of waterfowl and occasional bitterns and rails from the boardwalk over Oso Flaco Lake and marsh. Bird two prime willow habitats for wintering warblers. Includes 2-3 miles of slow walking. Moderate. Meet ats Oso Flaco parking lot, 3004 Oso Flaco Lake Road, Arroyo Grande. State Parks requires a parking fee of $5.

Join Jon Dunn & Bob Keally to observe birds at the Washburn Day Use area of San Simeon State Park. Moderate 1.5- 2 mile walk by riparian areas by creek, wetlands, shoreline, then onto chaparral, and pine forest habitats to discover a variety of land, shore and ocean birds including mergansers, terns, Pygmy Nuthatches, and a variety of raptors. Meets at Washburn Day Use parking lot, on Hwy 1, 1.8 miles north of last traffic light in Cambria. Right turn into the parking lot with public bathrooms available.

Join Dave Berry & Steve Schubert for a leisurely boating tour of the bay on the Dos Osos, an open-deck 34-foot power catamaran. Identify a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl in winter plumage at very close range as the boat moves slowly to see details of many species normally seen from shore. Good photo opportunities, but no tripods. Dress warmly. Meets at Sub Sea Tours, 699 Embarcadero, #9, Morro Bay.

Join Sharon Stiteler & Claudia Freitas to explore the pine woods on the slopes of Black Hill in Morro Bay, where you will hike trails searching for towhees, finches, woodpeckers and other birds of this habitat. Easy to moderate hiking for advanced beginner to intermediate birders. 5 miles round trip by personal vehicle. Easy. Guide is able to present this walk in Spanish. Meets at Morro Bay Comm. Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay.

Join Ed Harper on an unhurried walk around the edges and through the heart of the Morro Coast Audubon Sweet Springs Preserve. This trip will look for wintering songbirds as well as waterfowl and shorebirds in the nearby estuary. Previous trips have seen hawks, falcons, owls, osprey and kingfishers in this area. The effort will be easy to moderate and the walk should appeal to all birding levels. Meets at Sweet Springs, 660 Ramona Avenue, Baywood-Los Osos.

Join a guided kayak tour of Morro Bay for an up-close look at birds in their natural habitat. Possible sightings include White Pelicans, Brant, Common Loons, and a variety of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Along the way, you’ll paddle past the Heron Rookery, Grassy Island oyster farm, expansive mudflats, and winding Back Bay channels.
The tour uses stable double kayaks, and no prior kayaking experience is required. Please dress in layers and follow these guidelines: wear synthetic or wool clothing (avoid cotton), bring a windbreaker jacket, a hat for sun and wind protection, and shoes that can get wet. Note: trips may be canceled due to weather conditions.
Meets at the Morro Bay State Park Marina Kayak Shop. 10 State Park Road, Morro Bay.

Join Scott Weidensaul, Rick Grijalva & Rachel Clark at Cloisters Park Azure Street. The coastal scrub to the beach will offer a variety of birds, such as White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows, California Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler and possible Ospreys in the nearby trees. On the beach, expect to see a myriad of shorebirds and waterfowl in the surf line. Further north on the beach, the Alva Paul pond is an excellent birding spot for terns and shorebirds, Two miles from the Community Center. Moderate walk, a short distance through sand. Meets in the parking lot across from 150 Azure Street, Morro Bay.

San Simeon Point is a scenic coastal promontory with an easy trail offering beautiful ocean views, leading to a small, sheltered cove at the end of the peninsula. Starting at the San Simeon pier, you’ll walk the beach for about ¼ mile to a trail that leads to the bluff above. On the bluff, the trail traverses through beautiful, old eucalyptus trees to San Simeon Point where you have a 360 degree view of the ocean, the sea bluffs along with Hearst Castle. Join Harnawaz Bopari, Seth Green and Griffin Davies to explore the active bird life along with possible sightings of sea otters and elephant seals.  
Meets at the entrance to the pier in the upper parking lot, 750 Hearst Castle Drive, San Simeon. Enter the parking lot via the State Park kiosk.

The Morro Bay State Park Marina boardwalk provides opportunities for viewing a variety of shorebirds, ducks, geese, loons, grebes, gulls, terns and herons. Peregrine Falcons and other raptors are often seen. Led by Kristin Loft and Peggy Burhenn, the level half-mile walk for women is especially suited for photographers, wheelchairs and those using walkers and canes. Easy. Meets at the Peninsula Trail Head, southeast end of the State Park Marina parking lot, across from Morro Bay State Park Campground.

Join Captain Scott Stellar on a pontoon boat ride adventure birding Santa Margarita Lake. We'll cruise pretty much the entire lake taking in all the migratory and permanent birds as well as shoreline wildlife that abound. Restrooms are available along the route. Meets at the Marina at Santa Margarita Lake, 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita. After checking in at the entry kiosk, drive down to the boat dock and Marina store parking area. Note that there is a $12 entry fee per vehicle to enter the SML Campground.

Join Bob Isenberg and Jerry Pyle, Peregrine Watch, for pastries (while they last) and to search for owls and Peregrine Falcons at Morro Rock. Morro Rock is home to two pairs of breeding Peregrine Falcons. NOTE: this is a stop and scope event, not a planned walk. Stop by anytime from 9am and 2pm. Meets at Morro Rock. Coleman Drive, Morro Bay. Meet across from bathrooms, next to Morro Rock. Look for Bob's van with awning, scopes and Peregrine statue.

Jim May Park is an urban park featuring a large fresh water lake. Join Tony Gayfield for this easy, .65 mile walk around the lake taken at a slow to moderate pace, depending on bird activity and sightings along the way. The route follows gentle terrain over flat surfaces, making it accessible for most participants. Winter brings a number of gulls and geese to the area. A few different species of both have been found on the lake, along with a variety of other waterfowl. American White Pelicans may be present. The White-faced Ibis is an occasional visitor. Likely species would include the Great-tailed Grackle. Jim May Park has one of the largest Great-tailed Grackle colonies in the county. Bathrooms are available, and the trip is open to all levels of experience. This trip is intended for Southern California birders traveling northbound to the festival. Meet at Jim May Park, 809 Stanford Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454.

The elusive western snowy plover lives and breeds on the sand on only a few of our local natural beaches. A small federally threatened shorebird, this grey/brown and white bird has darker breeding plumage. It blends in well on the sandy beach, making it difficult to spot. Following a short talk by Sharon Iranpour about plover life, a  demonstration of a replica nest, and other shorebirds we might see,  we’ll walk  south on the beach to look for them and other shorebirds. If there is time, we can also check out beach drift and some interesting rock formations. This is an easy walk, partially on soft sand and the distance is approximately a mile roundtrip. Bring binoculars, wear sturdy shoes and layer up.  Walking distance about 1 mile. Meets in the parking lot across from 150 Azure Street, Morro Bay.

Join Dawn Beattie at Cloisters Park. The Park, with pond and nearby dunes, offers an interesting variety of birds, such as White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows, California Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Black-crowned Night-Heron. The pond also attracts migratory ducks and geese. People in wheelchairs or using walkers or canes will find all paths accessible. Two miles from the Community Center. Easy. Meet ats Cloisters Park. From Hwy 1 at the north end of Morro Bay, turn west (toward the water) at the San Jacinto traffic light, then take first left (south) on Coral Avenue; in a few blocks enter the parking lot on the right, next to the restrooms.

Morro Rock is home to Peregrine Falcons, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Common Yellowthroat, various sparrows, and the elusive Canyon Wren. Join Bettina Eastman to look for cormorants, various species and age classes of gulls, Brown Pelicans and maybe a Common Murre. Meets at Morro Rock. Coleman Drive, Morro Bay. Meet across from bathrooms, next to Morro Rock.

Join Faylla Chapman for tour of 4 different environments: riparian, oak woodland, marine chapparal and coastal scrub. The plants, fungi, lichens and small animals will be pointed out along the pathway through these areas and some local history will also be described. Poison oak is present in profusion. Meets at the Los Osos Oaks Preserve parking lot, 1.2 miles east (left) of South Bay Blvd. on Los Osos Valley Road. 

Birds face many challenges in their lives and there are lots of things we can do at home to make it more bird-friendly! Join Hannah and Erik to learn the different challenges birds face in their epic migrations as well as different ways you can improve your house, garden and even neighborhood to help birds in their journey.

Meets at Morro Bay Community Center Lounge,1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay.

Join expert photographer Dave Keeling to enjoy a leisurely photography focused boating tour of the bay and estuary in an open-deck 34-foot power catamaran. View a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl, often at close range. The boat will move slowly enough for you to see details of many species that you normally see only through a scope from shore. Good photo opportunities, but no tripods. Dress warmly. Meets at Sub Sea Tours, 699 Embarcadero, #9, Morro Bay.

This is a scaled-down version of a college class on Bird Biology. Topics will be presented at an introductory level. The class is comprised of two afternoon sessions: Part 1 will focus on the external appearances of birds, and Part 2 on Friday (Event #254) will focus on bird behaviors. Ornithological vocabulary will be introduced and used throughout. The basic principles of bird identification will also be presented. The class will be presented by Jim Bland, a retired avian ecologist, former college lecturer on Ornithology, and experienced wildlife photographer. Meets at in the Conference Room at Sea Pines Golf Resort. 1945 Solano St, Los Osos.

Join Friends of the Elephant Seal docent Michael Sheltzer for a "prime time" tour of the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal rookery. This is one of the best times to visit the rookery. Mid-January is the peak of birthing. The beaches will be full of big bulls, birthing and nursing moms and pups. Be ready to dive deep into their natural history and adaptations. We will meet at the Kiosk at the SOUTH END of the main Elephant Seal viewpoint, 5 miles north of Hearst Castle.

The Morro Bay State Park Marina boardwalk provides opportunities for viewing a variety of shorebirds, ducks, geese, loons, grebes, gulls, terns and herons. Peregrine Falcons and other raptors are often seen. Led by Dale & Jamie Ball, the level half-mile walk is especially suited for photographers, wheelchairs and those using walkers and canes. Easy. Meets at the Peninsula Trail Head, southeast end of the State Park Marina parking lot, across from Morro Bay State Park Campground.

Join author, illustrator, and naturalist Sharon Lovejoy for a nature journaling workshop. Her tips and simple techniques will inspire you and give you a strong foundation and a set of wings. The workshop will begin with a video that shares dozens of journals. Basic bird anatomy (hand-out included) will jump-start your bird studies. A focus on birds common in gardens will be sketched along with small illustrations of their nesting materials, feathers, and foods - insects, acorns, berries, larvae, and flowers with nectar. Bring journals, 2 B pencils, kneaded erasers, a pencil sharpener, small watercolor sets, brushes, and a magnifying glass. Meets at the Baywood Inn, 1335 3rd St, Los Osos. Conference Room is adjacent to the parking lot.

Join Mini Nagendran for her presentation that will introduce you to the cranes of the world and bring you details about Sandhill Cranes, including their biology, their migration routes, natal/breeding and wintering sites, behaviors, calls, and other crane fun facts.

Meets at the Hampton Inn, 295 Atascadero Rd, Morro Bay.

Join Rachel Clark and Isaiah Woodard on an unhurried walk around the edges and through the heart of the Morro Coast Audubon Sweet Springs Preserve. This trip will look for wintering songbirds as well as waterfowl and shorebirds in the nearby estuary. Previous trips have seen hawks, falcons, owls, osprey and kingfishers in this area. The effort will be easy to moderate and the walk should appeal to all birding levels. Meets at Sweet Springs, 660 Ramona Avenue, Baywood-Los Osos.

Join Steve Schubert and Dave Berry for a walk adjacent to the coastal sand dunes and southernmost reaches of Morro Bay during a falling to a minus tide, focusing on upland passerines, raptors in flight, aquatic waterfowl, shorebirds, and long-legged waders. Overview of the natural history, flora and fauna will also be discussed. Habitats will include: estuary, coastal salt marsh and mudflats, coastal dune scrub, and planted eucalyptus trees. Note: hiking in loose sand on gently undulating terrain for 1.5 - 2.0 miles, moderate difficulty. Optional continuation to crest of the dunes overlooking the sandy shore and Pacific inshore waters of Estero Bay. Meets at Sea Pines Golf Resort. 1945 Solano St, Los Osos.

Enjoy a leisurely boating tour of the bay and estuary with Scott Weidensaul, Tom Edell and Kevin Zimmer in an open-deck 34-foot power catamaran. View a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl, often at close range. The boat will move slowly enough for you to see details of many species that you normally see only through a scope from shore. Good photo opportunities, but no tripods. Dress warmly. Meets at Sub Sea Tours, 699 Embarcadero, #9, Morro Bay.

Join Greg Miller, Jon Dunn & Bettina Eastman for a birding stroll on the Morro Bay State Park Marina Boardwalk. The Boardwalk provides opportunities for viewing a variety of shorebirds, ducks, geese, loons, grebes, gulls, terns and herons. Peregrine Falcons and other raptors are often seen. this is a level half-mile walk especially suited for photographers, wheelchairs and those using walkers and canes. Meets at the Peninsula Trail Head, southeast end of the State Park Marina parking lot, across from Morro Bay State Park Campground.