MCAS Field Trip - OCT 25 or 28 - Visit the Beavers with SLO Beaver Brigade

 

Entering Beaver Territory [photo by Hazel Finlayson]

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

FIELD TRIP:       Visit the Beavers with SLO Beaver Brigade

DATE:                  Wednesday, October 25 or Saturday, October 28, 2023

TIME:                   9am to 11am

LEADER:            SLO Beaver Brigade

CO-LEADER:     Freddy Howell

Trip is limited to 20 participants per date - Signups will be taken for 24 hours. Participants will be randomly selected. The remainder will be put on standby status in case of cancellations. Only registered people may attend.

Description:

Come see the newly developed beaver habitat! One dam is only 1 month old and already the area is flooded with a beautiful and incredibly expansive pond. Water shoes or wetsuit booties might be the best option for this hike because the water keeps getting deeper at every visit!  It has been a very rough year for the beavers with the flooding taking out their lodges and dams, and people driving in the river were preventing them from rebuilding until late into the summer season. But they are prevailing (with a little help from their human friends!). It's a great time to come and experience their new habitat.  We can share all that we've learned this past season from watching these beavers patiently try and try again to recreate their home and we are excited to share it with all of our Audubon friends.

The walk is a half-mile walk out to the ponds on sandy, rocky trails.  t is helpful to wear water shoes or tall boots since we typically walk into the water up to our shins. 

Bring a hat, water, snacks, sunscreen, binoculars.

Restrooms are not available. There is no water or restroom facilities at the site, Home Depot and Starbucks are the closest facilities. Rain cancels.

ADA Accessible: No

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required! 

Registration will open on the morning of OCT 13^th. On that date, the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form will ONLY be sent out via MCAS ALERT and SLOCOBIRDING. If you are not already a member of these email lists, you can join MCAS ALERT via JOIN MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST in the Footer of the MCAS website and/or SLOCOBIRDING via Groups.io.

Questions? Email freddy@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Field Trip - OCT 22 - Habitat: Salt Marsh and Mud Flats at the Morro Bay Marina Peninsula Trail

Salt Marsh & Mud Flats [photo by Faylla Chapman]

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents 

FIELD TRIP:       Habitat: Salt Marsh and Mud Flats at the Morro Bay Marina Peninsula Trail

DATE:                  Sunday, October 22, 2023

TIME:                   1:00pm-3:00pm

LEADER:            Faylla Chapman

Trip is limited to 12 participants - Signups will be taken for 24 hours. Participants will be randomly selected. The remainder will be put on standby status in case of cancellations. Only registered people may attend.

DESCRIPTION:

Back by popular demand… You may have been on the Marina Boardwalk and wondered about all the specialized plants that you see in the estuary. This is your chance to find out more about this unique environment. Join biologist Faylla Chapman to take an in-depth look at the salt marsh and mudflat habitats. You will learn how our estuary was formed, how it is constantly changing and how the native plants here are a resource for our migratory birds as well as humans and marine mammals.

Terrain: salt marsh flats and boardwalk trail (flat)

Distance: about 1 mile RT

Bring a hat, water, snacks, sunscreen, binoculars (not required)and dress in layers to accommodate wind and changing weather. Sturdy shoes are recommended, walking sticks are not necessary. Restrooms are available in the State Park campground. Rain cancels. 

ADA Accessible: Boardwalk-Yes, Salt Marsh-No (but accommodations made)

Experience Level: All are Welcome

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required! 

Registration will open on the morning of OCT 7^th. On that date, the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form will ONLY be sent out via MCAS ALERT and SLOCOBIRDING. If you are not already a member of these email lists, you can join MCAS ALERT via JOIN MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST in the Footer of the MCAS website and/or SLOCOBIRDING via Groups.io.

Questions? Email freddy@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Hybrid Community Program - OCT 16 - Birds of SLO and Northern Santa Barbara Counties

 

A Group of Savannah Sparrows [photo by David Lawrence]

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

 

Title: Birds of SLO and Northern Santa Barbara Counties

 

Program Curated and Presented by Al King

Music by Al King

 

Date: Monday, October 16th, 2023, 7:00 pm

 

Description: Morro Coast Audubon Society is taking this opportunity to showcase the splendor of birds that live in the varied habitats found in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties. Our county hosts a remarkable variety of landscapes, from sandy beaches to oak woodlands, savannas and alkali flats. The wide range of birds that live in or pass through these landscapes on their migration routes is nothing short of astonishing. This is your opportunity to get a close-up look at these birds as they live their lives - hunting, sparring, feeding their chicks, bathing, loafing - in photos taken by some of the Central Coast's finest nature photographers. The program is set to original music created and recorded by the curator and presenter of the program, Al King.

 

Bio: Al King has had a lifelong interest in the natural world. He received his BA from UCSB in Environmental Biology with a special interest in plant ecology. He picked up an interest in photography from his father early on and has enjoyed photographing plants, animals and landscapes throughout his life. Al has had the great fortune to be able to live on farms and ranches most of his adult life.

 

MCAS is excited to offer a Hybrid Meeting for this program! We are giving our community the chance to meet in-person (Option 1 below), or join us via Zoom (Option 2 below).

 

If you are planning on coming in person, please consider helping out with the hospitality committee. This would involve bringing some cookies or making coffee and hot water for tea. We need a few helpful people to make this a successful event. Contact Wendy at wendy@morrocoastaudubon.org if this sounds like something you would be willing to do.

 

All MCAS Community Programs are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

No signup/registration required to attend.

 

If you have questions, email Wendy McKeown, Programs Chair: wendy@morrocoastaudubon.org

 

Option 1: In-Person

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of San Luis Obispo, 2201 Lawton Ave., SLO.

Directions: From South St. near Broad St., turn onto Meadow St. next to Meadow Park. 

You will see the church parking lot on your left. Turn at the second entrance into the parking lot and park. Next, walk through the gate (there is a disabled ramp there). Our room is the second door on the left. We will be meeting in the Social Hall.  Map

 

Option 2: Join Zoom Meeting - easiest way is to click the link:

https://zoom.us/j/92515235976?pwd=UlVVOEZ4SWlVSjhkeFpkNGZ3OUNXZz09

 

In case you need this: Meeting ID: 925 1523 5976; Passcode: 063442

 

One tap mobile

+16694449171,,92515235976#,,,,*063442# US

 

Or, if you don’t have a camera or microphone on your device, use your phone to dial in:

• +1 669 444 9171 US

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Cuesta Class with Steve Schubert - Birding the Morro Bay Estuary

• Virtual Class Presentation: Sat., Oct. 21st from 9:00 - 10:30am
• In-Person Van Field Trip (limited to 12 enrollments): Sat., Oct. 28th from 9:00am - 3:00pm. (There is a wait list for the van field trip. However, individuals may be allowed to carpool or drive their own vehicles. To be determined.)

Take a virtual or in-person field trip to Morro Bay estuary and its 48,000-acre watershed.  Morro Bay's coastal salt marsh, mudflats, estuary, beach, dunes, and associated upland watershed are recognized as vital feeding and resting habitats for thousands of birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway, arriving and departing from as far away as the arctic tundra to the north and the Neotropical rainforests to the south. Make stops at several of the publicly accessible and popular birding locations along the perimeter of the bay, including Morro Rock, the Heron Rookery, State Park Marina, the Elfin Forest boardwalk and Audubon Overlook in Baywood Park, and the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve in Los Osos.

Find entire details on the Cuesta College website.

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MCAS FIeld Trip - OCT 21 - Los Osos Bicycle Birding Surprise

Jim Royer Out Looking for Birds!

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

FIELD TRIP:       Los Osos Bicycle Birding Surprise

DATE:                  Saturday, October 21, 2023

TIME:                   7:30-11:30 AM

LEADER:            Jim Royer

This is a very special trip for those who want to see birds from a different vantage point, from a bicycle. This trip is limited to 10 participants - Signups will be taken for 24 hours or until the trip is full. Participants will be randomly selected. The remainder will be put on standby status in case of cancellations. Only registered people may attend.

TRIP DESCRIPTION: Experience fall migration by bicycle. The exact route and meeting place in Los Osos will be emailed a few days before the trip to the registered participants. The multiple location route will be based on pre-fielding, the tides, and the weather.  Possible locations include Sea Pines Golf Course, Pecho Willows, Doris Avenue bay access, Sweet Springs Preserve, Audubon Overlook, Elfin Forest, and Turri Road Tidal Ponds. The very leisurely paced ride will total 4 - 8 miles, but will include some hills. We will be enjoying fall shorebirds, waterfowl, herons, hawks, and a variety of land birds. Fall can be a fun time to bird here, and cycling is a great way to do it. “Green Birding” is carbon neutral as well! 

 

ADA Accessible: No

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required! 

Registration will open on the morning of OCT 6^th. On that date, the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form will ONLY be sent out via MCAS ALERT and SLOCOBIRDING. If you are not already a member of these email lists, you can join MCAS ALERT via JOIN MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST in the Footer of the MCAS websiteand/or SLOCOBIRDING via Groups.io.

Questions? Email freddy@morrocoastaudubon.org 

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VIDEO now available - Exploring Biodiversity and Conservation in Ecuador - MCAS Community Program

 

Plate-billed Mountain Toucan at Balcon Tumpiki, Ecuador [photo by Torrey Gage-Tomlinson]

WATCH PROGRAM VIDEO on MCAS YouTube Channel

Description: Ecuador is one of Earth's most biodiverse countries—home to about 15% of the world's bird species—yet conservation remains a steep uphill battle. In this talk, Torrey will explore the issues of conservation, ecotourism, and scientific research in Ecuador, which he personally experienced while living, studying, and working as an ecologist there for nearly half a year. He will speak specifically about his research regarding the conservation and biology of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed species in remote NW Ecuador, and display some of his best photos. Lastly, Torrey will briefly talk about his trip after Ecuador to the Pantanal and Atlantic Cloud Forest in Brazil. His hope is that he can illustrate how ecotourism and scientific research can go hand-in-hand to support conservation of biodiversity.

Bio: Torrey recently graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Biology, and spent nearly half a year studying and researching as an ecologist in Ecuador. He's been an avid birder from a young age, and has a world life list of over 2400 species. Torrey is a board member of Morro Coast Audubon Society, and formerly worked with MCAS and Jan Hamber at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History through the Hi Mountain Lookout Project. He hopes to attend graduate school soon to further his research of avian ecology and conservation.

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MCAS Field Trip - OCT 17 - Birds & Wine at Calcareous Vineyards

Calcareous Vineyard Surrounds [photo by Freddy Howell]

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

FIELD TRIP:       Birds & Wine at Calcareous Vineyards

DATE:                  Tuesday, October 17, 2023 

TIME:                   Field Trip 9:00AM–10:30AM

                              Wine Tasting & Charcuterie 10:30-11:30AM

LEADER:            Claudia Freitas

CO-LEADER:     Freddy Howell

 

Trip is limited to 15 participants - Signups will be taken for 24 hours. Participants will be randomly selected. Those participants must remit payment of $30 dollars within 5 days of registration to be completely confirmed for the trip. The remainder will be put on standby status in case of cancellations. Payment details will be provided to the 15 participants selected.

Description: Join us on a meandering walk through vineyards and beside a seasonal riparian corridor looking for oak woodland birds. We will be walking on dirt roads for about a mile with one hill of approximately 400’ elevation gain. Restrooms are available. Rain Cancels.

ADA Accessible: No

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required! 

Registration will open on the morning of OCT 2^nd. On that date, the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form will ONLY be sent out via MCAS ALERT and SLOCOBIRDING. If you are not already a member of these email lists, you can join MCAS ALERT via JOIN MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST in the Footer of the MCAS websiteand/or SLOCOBIRDING via Groups.io.

Questions? Email freddy@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Field Trip - OCT 15 - Villa Creek and Estero Bluffs

Villa Creek Beach [photo by Mike Bush]

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

FIELD TRIP:        Villa Creek and Estero Bluffs

DATE:                  Sunday, October 15, 2023

TIME:                   8:30 am - 11:30 am

LEADER:             Mike Bush

Trip is limited to 15 participants - Signups will be taken for 24 hours. Participants will be randomly selected. The remainder will be put on standby status in case of cancellations. 

Join Mike Bush for an adventure along Estero Bluffs and Villa Creek. The walk begins southwest across the coastal prairie to the bluffs and scattered near shore rocks to look for Black Oystercatchers, Turnstones and other shorebirds, gulls and cormorants. Turning north along the bluffs we will arrive at the largest beach between Cayucos and Cambria - approximately a half-mile long. Snowy Plovers and shorebirds occupy this remote stretch of beach. The beach ends at 50-foot bluffs at the Villa Creek mouth where we will explore the creek and lagoon. We will return along the beach taking a different trail back across the coastal prairie to the parking area. 2-3 miles along flat bluff and beach with some steep ups and downs at beach access. Restrooms are available at the trailhead. Rain cancels. 

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

ADA Accessible: No

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required! 

Registration will open on the morning of SEPT 30^th. On that date, the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form will ONLY be sent out via MCAS ALERT and SLOCOBIRDING. If you are not already a member of these email lists, you can join MCAS ALERT via JOIN MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST in the Footer of the MCAS website and/or SLOCOBIRDING via Groups.io.

Questions? Email robbie@morrocoastaudubon.org or freddy@morrocoastaudubon.org

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