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Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: John Flaherty
Fee: $55.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: MB State Park Kayak Launch
Meet@: MB State Park Kayak Launch
Transportation Type: Kayak
Go on a guided kayak tour of Morro Bay for an up close opportunity to see birds in their natural habitat! You may see: White Pelicans, Brant, Common Loons and a host of other migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Paddle near the Heron Rookery, Grassy Island oyster farm, mudflats and channels of the Back Bay. Using double kayaks, no prior kayaking experience needed. Dress in layers with the following guidelines: synthetics or wool, no cotton, windbreaker jacket, hat for sun and wind protection, and shoes that can get wet. Weather conditions may cancel. Meets at the Morro Bay State Park Marina Kayak Shop. 10 State Park Road, Morro Bay.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Bob Keally | Van Pierszalowski
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Fiscalini Ranch
Meet@: Fiscalini Ranch
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Bird with Bob Keally and 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.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Mike Bush
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Montana de Oro
Meet@: South Bay Community Center
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Watch birds in a rugged coastal park with spectacular shorelines and canyons. Take a gentle walk with Mike Bush through a variety of habitats, including coastal scrublands and pine-studded campgrounds. Follow Islay Creek to its outlet to the sea observing possible passerines, raptors and shorebirds. Includes 1-2 miles of easy walking. 20 miles round-trip by personal vehicle. Easy. Meets at the South Bay Community Center in Los Osos. 2180 Palisades Ave, Los Osos.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Roy Poucher
Fee: $95.00
Trip Type: Master Class
Venue: Inn at Morro Bay - Cayucos Room
Meet@: Inn at Morro Bay
Transportation Type: None
Bird songs are Nature's Music. We can plug into this magic 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 workshop by Roy Poucher is to increase our birding enjoyment via improving our skills as auditory birders. Some prior experience trying to identify birds by ear will surely be useful, but all experience levels are welcome. Explore the principles of describing bird vocalizations in general and 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 or Monday (trips 203 or 508). Meets at the Inn at Morro Bay, 60 State Park Road, Morro Bay. Cayucos Room.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Steve Schubert
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Los Osos Multiple
Meet@: South Bay Community Center
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Join Steve Schubert for a walk adjacent to the coastal sand dunes and southernmost reaches of Morro Bay during an extreme high "King tide" event, 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, 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 the South Bay Community Center, 2180 Palisades Ave, Los Osos.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Jon Dunn
Fee: $25.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Morro Bay State Park Marina
Meet@: Morro Bay State Park Marina
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
The Morro Bay State Park Marina boardwalk provides excellent opportunities for viewing a variety of birds on a level half-mile walk especially suited for photographers and people with wheelchairs and those using walkers and canes. Join Jon Dunn & Bettina Eastman to view local birds, often seen from the boardwalk include: shorebirds, that include ducks, geese, loons, grebes, gulls, terns and herons, Peregrine Falcons, warblers, sparrows, finches and more! Meets at the Peninsula Trail Head, southeast end of the State Park Marina parking lot, across from Morro Bay State Park Campground.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Virginia Flaherty
Fee: $55.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: MB State Park Kayak Launch
Meet@: MB State Park Kayak Launch
Transportation Type: Kayak
Go on a guided kayak tour of Morro Bay for an up close opportunity to see birds in their natural habitat! You may see: White Pelicans, Brant, Common Loons and a host of other migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Paddle near the Heron Rookery, Grassy Island oyster farm, mudflats and channels of the Back Bay. Using double kayaks, no prior kayaking experience needed. Dress in layers with the following guidelines: synthetics or wool, no cotton, windbreaker jacket, hat for sun and wind protection, and shoes that can get wet. Weather conditions may cancel. Meets at the Morro Bay State Park Marina Kayak Shop. 10 State Park Road, Morro Bay.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Eric Wier | Steve McMasters
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Cayucos Abalone Farm
Meet@: Morro Bay Community Center
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Join Eric Wier and Steve McMasters for a tour of the Cayucos Abalone Farm courtesy of Harmony Coast Aquaculture Institute . This trip will include a caravan from the Morro Bay Community Center to the Abalone Farm 4 miles north of Cayucos. Habitats will include wetland, coastal scrub, grassland and eucalyptus. At the Farm, birders will have a chance to check out the access road, the ornamental trees and shrubs and the rocky shoreline from the bluff along with offshore birds. Due to limited parking at the destination, caravan groups will be arranged at the meeting location. Meets at Morro Bay Comm. Center, 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Russ Namitz
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Kern National Wildlife Refuge
Meet@: Kern National Wildlife Refuge
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Join Wildlife Biologist Russ Namitz to explore the Kern National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is a major wintering grounds for thousands of ducks, geese, and other migratory birds. During the winter the waterfowl numbers may peak to 80,000 in December and January. Large concentrations of waterfowl can be seen foraging in the moist soil and seasonal marsh areas. This trip is intended for people traveling to the Festival from the North and East. Meet at the Ranger Station at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Carol Comeau | Marlin Harms
Fee: $40.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Morro Bay Landing - Captain Stews
Meet@: Morro Bay Landing
Transportation Type: Boat
Enjoy a leisurely boating tour of the bay and estuary in an open-deck 34-foot power catamaran with Carol Comeau and Marlin Harms. 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 Morro Bay Landing, 1213 Embarcadero, Morro Bay. Weather conditions may cancel.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Dawn Beattie
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Cloisters Park
Meet@: Cloisters Park
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Join Dawn Beatie 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 at 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.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Steve Schubert
Fee: $40.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Sub Sea Tours - Dos Osos
Meet@: Sub Sea Tours
Transportation Type: Boat
Join 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.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Tom Burhenn | Jean Pierre Wolff | Peggy Burhenn | Charlie DeBerry
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Build Bird Box
Venue: Wolff Vineyards
Meet@: Wolff Vineyards
Transportation Type: None
The bucolic location for this workshop is at one of the first certified sustainable vineyards on the Central Coast, where you can build an owl box and sample wine! Wolff Vineyard, under the guidance of expert vintner Jean-Pierre Wolff, has focused on enhancing native resource enhancement for bird habitat, wildlife corridors, and steelhead trout restoration on boundary creeks, which then creates opportunities for a variety of bird species. Expert woodworkers, Peggy and Tom Burhenn, will guide us in building an owl box, which can be taken home. Six owl boxes will be built by the twelve participants and will be available for purchase at $75 each. Toast your new skills with some of Wolff Vineyards award winning wines at 4pm and enjoy the panoramic view of the Edna Valley. The optional wine tasting has a discounted fee of $10, refundable with bottle purchase. Meets at Wolff Vineyards. 6238 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Bettina Eastman | Lara Tseng | Claudia Freitas
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Morro Rock
Meet@: Morro Rock
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Morro Rock is home to Peregrine Falcons, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Common Yellowthroat, various sparrows, the elusive Canyon Wren, and sometimes a Burrowing Owl. Join Bettina Eastman, Lara Tseng & Claudia Freitas 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.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Event Type: Nature
Guide/Speaker: Sharon Lovejoy
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Journaling / Sketching
Venue: Inn at Morro Bay - Cayucos Room
Meet@: Inn at Morro Bay
Transportation Type: None
Come learn how to create your personal nature journal with artist Sharon Lovejoy. Sharon will share her techniques and insights, and show examples of journals from other artists and writers. She will guide participants to record their own unique view of the natural world. Inspirational short video and examples to get your creative juices flowing. Recommended supplies: magnifying glass, large tablet or journal, 2-B pencils, kneaded eraser, small pencil sharpener, waterproof 005 Micron or Gel pen, colored pencils, and a child's sense of wonder.

Meets at the Inn at Morro Bay, 60 State Park Road, Morro Bay. Cayucos Room.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Van Pierszalowski
Fee: $0.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Washburn Creek
Meet@: Washburn Creek
Transportation Type: Self-Drive
Join Van Pierszalowski to bird San Simeon Creek. This trip will start at the Washburn Creek parking area with easy access to San Simeon creek lagoon and the beach area. An elevated boardwalk provides access to a riparian area.
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.
Event Day: Thursday
Event Hours: 3:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Event Type: Birding
Guide/Speaker: Jon Dunn | Tom Edell
Fee: $50.00
Trip Type: Field Trip
Venue: Sub Sea Tours - Dos Osos
Meet@: Sub Sea Tours
Transportation Type: Boat
Enjoy a leisurely boating tour of the bay and estuary with Jon Dunn and Tom Edell 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.