MCAS Community Program - JUN 30 - Annual June Picnic and Birding Walk

2024 MCAS Annual Picnic [photo by Wendy McKeown]

Morro Coast Audubon Society

Annual June Picnic and Birding Walk

Monday, June 30th, 2025 at 5:00 pm

El Chorro Regional Park, Dairy Creek Group Area

What:

●        Informal birding walk: 5:00-6:00 pm

●        Picnic: 6:00 - 7:15 pm

Where:

Dairy Creek Group Area, El Chorro Regional Park

2961 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo

Location Details: The Dairy Creek Group area is the third group area on your left as you drive into the park (across the street from the SLO Botanical Garden Children’s Garden). The closest restrooms are located at the Lupine Group Day Use Area or near the entrance to the park. This is an ADA accessible group area.

Picnic Details:

Bring a dish to share (w/serving utensils), and your own reusable table setting (plate, cup, flatware, etc.), in addition to a picnic tablecloth if you have one. If you’d rather not share, bring your own meal. Assorted beverages and cookies will be provided by MCAS hospitality. 

Birding Walk:

Prior to the Picnic, an informal birding walk around El Chorro Regional Park, led by Eric Wier and Mark Mushkat, will be held from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Join Eric and Mark for a late afternoon walk through the varied habitats and surrounding environs of El Chorro Regional Park. 

This short birding walk will be over gentle terrain and will begin and end in the Dairy Creek Group area in time for the Morro Coast Audubon Annual Picnic! People of all birding skills are welcome. Some of the species we might expect to see include White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, California Quail, Western Scrub-jay, Western Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. Bring your own binoculars and take a casual stroll with fellow birders. No signups are required for this birding walk. 

The event is open to all at no charge. 

Donations towards our programs are always greatly appreciated. 

We’d love to have you join us!

Questions? Email Wendy McKeown at commprograms@morrocoastaudubon.org.

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Super Summer - JUN 21 - Fundraiser Event and Auction

FEATHER students from Nipomo High School collecting shorebird data at Pismo Beach.

Support Our MCAS Community: Today and Tomorrow

Saturday, June 21, 2025 · 12–3 PM

San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

Join Morro Coast Audubon Society for Our MCAS Community: Today and Tomorrow—an afternoon of connection, celebration, and community impact.

Held at the scenic San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, this community fundraiser brings together local educators, students, conservation leaders, and supporters to highlight the people and programs shaping a more inclusive, resilient future for conservation on the Central Coast.

Enjoy light refreshments, a curated silent auction of local experiences and handcrafted items, and a short program of speakers reflecting on community impact and our shared path forward.

Attendance is FREE, however RSVPs (tickets) are available May 21st and needed for planning—check your email, this website, or social media for details.

For RSVP ("Choose your tickets" - opens May 21st), auction preview, and event updates:

👉   Visit the Event Page
🎁   Preview Silent Auction Items

Featured Speakers

●      Andrea Jones, Executive Director, Audubon California
Sharing reflections on MCAS’s leadership, impact, and role within the Audubon network.

●      Paso Robles High School students and AVID teacher Angela Logan
Highlighting their journeys in the FEATHER program and the power of youth-led environmental education.

●      Torrey Gage-Tomlinson, Program Director, and Nancy Foley, Board President
Offering updates on organizational growth and a vision for inclusive, community-driven conservation.

Why It Matters

All proceeds will provide flexible, mission-driven support for MCAS’s work across San Luis Obispo County—including environmental education, habitat restoration, outreach, stewardship, and new community partnerships.

Whether you’ve supported us for years or are just getting to know MCAS, we hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of inspiration and momentum.

Support Opportunities

Local businesses and organizations are invited to support this event through sponsorships or by donating to the silent auction. Your support directly funds youth programs, habitat protection, and conservation outreach—and connects your brand with an engaged, environmentally conscious audience.

👉   Become a Sponsor
👉   Donate a Silent Auction Item

Thank You to Our Early Sponsors

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June 27th - All About Birds At Santa Margarita Ranch With Learning Among The Oaks

Bluebirds in next [photo courtesy of LATO]

June 27^th - All About Birds At Santa Margarita Ranch With Learning Among The Oaks

 

Sponsored by the Land Conservancy of SLO

 

This program is all about birds and will allow you to take an inside peek at our bluebird nestbox project. We will learn how to use binoculars and search for the variety of birds that live around the Santa Margarita Ranch Learning Among the Oaks Nature Trail. This walk is best for families with youth ages 10 and up. Please be sure to claim a sign up for each person attending. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Please reach out to lato@lcslo.org with accessibility requests and any questions.

Sign up HERE

  

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MCAS Field Trip - MEMBERS ONLY - JUN 28 - Santa Rita Ranch

The Lake at Santa Rita Ranch [photo by Judy Neuhauser]

REGISTRATION CLOSED.

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents              **MEMBERS ONLY**  

FIELD TRIP:        Santa Rita Ranch  

DATE:                  Saturday, June 28, 2025  

TIME:                   8:00AM-11:30AM  

LEADER(S):        Tom Edell, Will Knowlton & Michael Mulroy 

Description: Come explore the rolling grass-covered foothills of the Santa Rita Ranch within the Santa Lucia Mountains. The crown jewel of this trip is the 234-acre foot lake, the fourth largest privately-owned lake in the county. This approximately one mile walk will be a loop around the hill with the lake house. Gentle hills, nothing steep, mostly dirt roads, mainly through grassland/oak savannah and overlooking the upper end of the lake. There is a porta-potty at the parking lot in the front of the ranch near the old house.

ADA Accessible: No

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration: Trip is limited to 16 participants.  Signups will be taken for 24 hours. Selected participants will be notified to confirm their attendance. The remainder will be notified of standby status in case of cancellations. Only registered people may attend.

Registration will open on the morning of June 18^th. On that date, MCAS members will automatically receive an ALERT with the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form.

Our Member-Only field trips are a bonus for members. So you don’t miss out, JOIN MCAS NOW!

Questions? Email robbie@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Field Trip - JUN 27 - Morro Bay State Park Marina Boardwalk

Birding the Morro Bay Marina [photo by Robbie Revel]

REGISTRATION CLOSED.

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents  

FIELD TRIP:        Morro Bay State Park Marina Boardwalk  

DATE:                  Friday, June 27, 2025  

TIME:                   9:00AM-11:30AM  

CO-LEADERS:    Karen Watts/Claudia Freitas  

Description: Enjoy a leisurely morning stroll along the Boardwalk with MCAS Field Trip leaders to identify returning shorebirds and migrants, as well as the land birds occupying the coastal sage scrub habitat. This is a short walk of about one mile on a boardwalk and dirt path. Restrooms are available.

ADA Accessible: Yes

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration: Trip is limited to 15 participants.  Signups will be taken for 24 hours. Selected participants will be notified to confirm their attendance. The remainder will be notified of standby status in case of cancellations. Only registered people may attend.

Registration will open on the morning of June 17^th. 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

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MCAS Field Trip - JUN 23 - Habitat: Visit the Atascadero Beavers with SLO Beaver Brigade

Looking for Beavers along Salinas River [photo by Brittany App]

REGISTRATION CLOSED.

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents   

Field Trip:                 Habitat: Visit the Atascadero Beavers with SLO Beaver Brigade  

Date:                          Monday, June 23, 2025  

Time:                          9:00am to 11:00am  

Leader(s):                 SLO Beaver Brigade  

 

Description: There are four beaver families in the Salinas River in Atascadero this year!  We are going to visit one of these families and see their dam that was built this May.  We'll see a beaver dam, beaver chews, other signs (scat, trails, drags) and lots of bird activity.  Come join us as we explore this new dam and beaver complex and see what changes have happened since our last visit. The walk is a half-mile walk out to the ponds on sandy, rocky trails.  It is helpful to wear water shoes or tall boots since we typically walk into the water up to our shins, or old sneakers you won't mind walking with into the water. Restrooms are not available. This field trip is not ADA accessible and is open to all levels of experience.

 

Registration: Registration will open on the morning of JUN 13^th with notification sent to MCAS members and those on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST. Not on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST? CLICK HERE to sign up. 

 

Some field trips are for MCAS Members only. Consider becoming a MCAS member to support our mission and activities and enjoy our member-only field trips. CLICK HERE to join.

 

Questions? Send email to: freddy@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Field Trip - MEMBERS ONLY - JUN 20 - The Point Buchon Trail

Coastline along the Point Buchon Trail [photo by Mike Baird]

REGISTRATION CLOSED.

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents                         **MEMBERS ONLY**  

FIELD TRIP:       The Point Buchon Trail  

DATE:                  Friday, June 20, 2025  

TIME:                   8:30am to 12:00 Noon  

LEADERS:          Sally Krenn, Jim Bland & the Revel Team  

Description: Explore the spectacular scenic coastline at Point Buchon. Learn the background of this historic ranch and the efforts to regenerate the Bishop pine forest along the ridges overlooking the ocean. Look for marine mammals, gulls and shorebirds -- maybe even a Peregrine Falcon. Check out breeding cormorants and oystercatchers. Bring your camera to capture the striking sea stacks that dot this coastline. Be prepared for wind and cool weather. Active three-mile round trip with a steep uphill walk to the trailhead and on return.Restrooms are available.

ADA Accessible: No

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration Details: Registration will open on the morning of June 10th. On that date, MCAS members will automatically receive an ALERT with the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form. 

Our Member-Only field trips are a bonus for members. So you don’t miss out, JOIN MCAS NOW!

Questions? Email robbie@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Field Trip - JUN 15 - Falcon Watch at Morro Rock

Birdwatching at Morro Rock - Morro Bay [photo by the Revel Team]

REGISTRATION CLOSED. 

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents  

FIELD TRIP:       Falcon Watch at Morro Rock 

DATE:                  Sunday, June 15, 2025  

TIME:                   10:00 am - 12:00 noon  

LEADER:            Claudia Freitas and the Revel Team  

Description: The Peregrine Falcons on Morro Rock have been incubating eggs since March 20th. We will check in with Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch (Bob Isenberg) for the latest updates and hopefully observe the young Falcons being fed by the Adults. Our leisurely walk will include a visit to both sides of the rock to observe cormorants, pelicans and nesting gulls which may also have chicks in the nest. Breeding plumage will be on display. The walk will be about 1 mile along a flat dirt path and pavement.

ADA Accessible: Yes

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration: Trip is limited to 15 participants.  Signups will be taken for 24 hours. Selected participants will be notified to confirm their attendance. The remainder will be notified of standby status in case of cancellations. Only registered people may attend.

Registration will open on the morning of June 5, 2025. 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@morrocoastaudubon.org

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