2018 Christmas Bird Count begins to gear up!

We're getting ready to open registrations for this year's Christmas Bird Count (CBC).

REGISTRATION:
Opens November 1st!!

COUNT DAY:
Saturday, December 15th.

If you've participated in the CBC before... Welcome Back!

If you have not yet participated in a CBC... why not make 2018 your "First Annual CBC." It's easy to register, and we need birders of all experience levels.

Before Nov 1st, you can go out to the CBC web page to familiarize yourself with the information being provided and also to start thinking about what sectors you want to count in.

Hope to see you at the 2018 CBC potluck!

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NEW Telescope-type Viewer at Sweet Springs!

Thanks to Celebrate Los Osos, a new telescope-type viewer has been added to the platform located at the northwest corner of Sweet Springs Nature Preserve in Los Osos (see SLO Tribune article). The viewer was funded by a grant and was a project by Celebrate Los Osos in memory of and to celebrate the life of Mimi Kalland who was one of the founders of the organization.

Morro Coast Audubon is grateful that Celebrate Los Osos chose to remember Mimi by installing a viewer that can freely be used by visitors to view the birds and beauty of the Morro Bay estuary.

The closest preserve entrance to the platform with the viewer is at the end of Broderson Ave off Ramona Ave in Los Osos. When you use the viewer, be sure to read the attached memorial plaque placed in honor of Mimi.

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OSPREY #63 Follow-up Information

Osprey #63 - Photo taken by Beth Sargent

The information below is a follow-up to a previous post (August 3, 2018) titled Reporting Banded Birds, and in which Osprey #62 and #63 were featured. As that post stated: “…Patuxent or the actual bander will eventually get back to you with information about "your" banded bird.” In this case, Petra Clayton also received a Certificate of Appreciation for reporting this bird.

[Thanks, to Petra Clayton, for the following chronology.]

April 23, 2018 – Osprey #63 was banded in Orange County, near Newport Beach.

July 9, 2018 – Osprey #63 was first reported in SLO County (Oso Flaco).

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47099975 [contains many photos/videos of #63 and certificate]

Osprey #63 - Photo taken by Petra Clayton

Osprey #63 was also observed and reported in SLO County on: 

July 10 (Oceano Campground) 

July 12 (Pismo Creek mouth) 

July 14 (across from the Morro Bay State Park Campground on the Marina Spit)

August 15 (Morro Bay Marina)

September 28, 2018 – Osprey #63 was last reported in SLO County (Oso Flaco).

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48803455 [2 photos of #63]

October 4, 2018 – Osprey #63 was recently reported and photographed in Orange County (Crystal Cove State Park).

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48934198 [contains under-wing in-flight photo of #63]

It is possible that this bird will return to San Luis Obispo County next year, so keep your binoculars and cameras ready—and report it to USGS!

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Elfin Forest Big Sit--COMING SOON!

This year’s annual Elfin Forest Big Sit will take place on Sunday, October 14th. For those who have not participated, we will make a list of all the birds we see and hear in one day from one spot - the overlook of Morro Bay known as "Bush Lupine Point". From this vantage point we will be able to see the coastal scrub of the Elfin Forest, the Morro Bay Estuary, the nearby hills and the edge of residential Los Osos. We have tallied as many as 122 species in one day from this one spot. Most years we spot 100 or more species. It’s a beautiful location with an incredible view. The birding changes as the tide goes in and out and the day warms up. (The long-term prediction is for clear skies and highs in the low- to mid-70s). It is an opportunity to meet many of the local birders and to share food and drink as the day progresses. We will also compete against other Big Sits going on across the country and in foreign countries on the same weekend. See  https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/connect/bigsit.php for more info on the Big Sit.

Before the count, I need to know who is willing to help so that I can make sure we have coverage from early morning till sunset. Please let me know if you can help spot birds on this Big Sit and when you are able to help. I will try to assign one or two hour shifts for spotters so that at least two birders are present over the whole day. Birders who are unable to commit to a time can come at any time. Anyone who wants to come out and see how things are going is welcome after 9 am. Any and all snacks are welcome for the counters and others present. Please let me know when you can count by Tuesday October 9th, so I can start to make a schedule for the count. Thanks to all who are able to help. It is a good time and place for some relaxing birding from a scenic location. I will give directions to the count site before the count.

There will also be a field trip on the day before the count which will be for less experienced birders and to pre-field the location before the count. It is in no way required for counters. This trip will meet at the bay (north) end of 15th Street at 8:30 am and will be for about 3 hours. Be prepared for leisurely waking in sand, and dress in layers as it can be cool or warm. We will walk about a half mile. We can make accommodations for wheel chair participants. Let me know if you are in a wheel chair and we can meet you on the board walk. We typically see about 60 species on this morning field trip.

Good Sitting,

Jim Royer

Los Osos

jrmotmot@gmail.com

805-748-7895 

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FIELD TRIP: Birding & Wine--Double Harmony!

This trip is now FULL.

Be among the first to RSVP for this Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) field trip at Harmony Headlands followed by an (optional) wine tasting and picnic lunch at Harmony Cellars. Join leader Mike Stiles for this morning of birding along a three-mile trail preceding the wine tasting on Sunday, October 7th.

Possible bird sightings include: sparrows, hawks, eagles, and other birds associated with coastal grassland and chaparral communities, and arriving at the ocean bluffs: turnstones, oystercatchers, scoters, loons and other birds associated with rocky shore and nearshore ocean habitats.

There is a $10 tasting fee (for non wine club members) and participants are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch to accompany the fine Harmony wines.  Alternatively, participants may select cheese, crackers, and other lunch items at the Harmony gift shop. The tasting fee includes a commemorative Harmony Cellars wine glass and trip participants will receive a 10% discount on any wines purchased. 

The trip is appropriate for all level of birders. If possible, bring your own binoculars.  MCAS will have some binoculars available for use if you do not have your own. Rain cancels.

The trip is limited to 16 participants who must RSVP to Jan Surbey, MCAS field trip chair: jan@morrocoastaudubon.org  Jan will let you know via email the start time and meeting location and let you know you have a “confirmed RSVP”, a necessity to join the trip.

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