Morro Coast Audubon Presents
May 10th – Spring Global Big Day – Citizen Science at Four Locations
Join the Morro Coast Audubon Field Trip committee for a day of birding, learning, and fun on Global Big Day! Global Big Day (GBD) is a worldwide effort to submit data using the citizen science tool eBird. We will have teams at FOUR LOCATIONS, looking for and learning about the birds of the Central Coast, learning how eBird is applied in the field, and most importantly, having fun! You do not need an eBird account to participate.
Using our Registration Form, select your first choice for location. You also have the option to select a second and third choice in the event your first choice is full. Each participant will receive a confirmation for their location with a description and directions.
The Four Locations for GBD are:
1 CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUND - 8am - 11am, Will Knowlton (10 participants)
2 CUESTA INLET - 10am -12 Noon, Grace Hayes & Susie Reddy (15 participants)
3 SAN SIMEON - 8:30am -12 Noon, Revel Team & Ben Kolstad (12 participants)
4 MONTAÑA DE ORO LAZY SIT - 9am - 12 Noon, Claudia Freitas & Karen Watts (Drop In)
1 CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUND – 8am - 11am with Will Knowlton
Join leader Will Knowlton for this morning walk along the road at Cerro Alto Campground. Birds that may be encountered along the walk include: Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Cassin's Vireo, Western Wood-Pewee, Western Flycatcher, Brown Creeper, Purple Finch, and Olive-sided Flycatcher. The terrain will mostly be a paved road with the possibility of a few short extrusions on well-maintained dirt trails. The total distance (out and back) should be about two miles. Restrooms are available. There is a $10 day-use fee per vehicle. Due to an agreement with the concessionaire, neither National Forest Adventure passes nor National Park public-lands passes are accepted in lieu of paying the day-use fees. Non-ADA compliant.
2 CUESTA INLET - 10am - 12 Noon with Grace Hayes & Susie Reddy
Join Grace & Susie for shorebirds and ducks, an overview of area marsh plants, and a summary of area land conservation efforts The terrain is flat, narrow sand and silt trails and the walk is up to 1.5 miles. Many ducks and shorebirds should be at a good distance for study with (and maybe without) binoculars. Additionally, those that have a scope may wish to bring it for identification and viewing of ducks that may be off at a distance on the bay or shorebirds on the opposite side of the inlet. Restrooms are not available. Non-ADA compliant.
3 SAN SIMEON/WASHBURN - 8:30am - 12 Noon with Revel Team & Ben Kolstad
Join the Revel Team & Ben Kolstad for a leisurely stroll along the San Simeon boardwalk to view the amazing variety of birds on the beach and along San Simeon Creek. Expect to see shorebirds, cormorants, pelicans, Snowy Plovers, and warblers along the creek. Herons & egrets are also seen along with an occasional Bald Eagle. Distance is about 1.5 miles. Restrooms are available. Beach walk is non-ADA compliant.
4 MONTAÑA DE ORO LAZY SIT - 9am - 12 Noon with Claudia Freitas & Karen Watts
Drop in on Claudia Freitas and Karen Watts as they strive to perfect the art of “stop and sit” birding. They will be sitting quietly in one spot long enough for the birds to come out of hiding. Bring a chair and join them at Islay Campground in Montana de Oro. Wander through the campground until you find them. Expect to see songbirds, warblers, raptors and more. Chairs will be moved periodically. Bring drinks, snacks and a chair. Walking distance about .5 miles. Restrooms are available. ADA compliant.
Registration will open on the morning of APR 30th. On that date, MCAS members will automatically receive an ALERT with the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form.
Non-members can also receive ALERTS from MCAS regarding Field Trips, Community Programs, and other MCAS activities. To do so you will need to fill out the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST sign up form in the footer of the MCAS website. You can also get MCAS Field Trip alerts, and other SLO county bird sightings, by joining SLOCOBIRDING.
Please consider becoming a member of MCAS to support MCAS’s mission and activities, including Members Only Field Trips.
Questions? Email Robbie Revel robbie@morrocoastaudubon.org or Freddy Howell freddy@morrocoastaudubon.org
