MCAS Field Trip NEW! - JUN 3 - Birding by Ear at El Chorro Regional Park

Birding by Ear [photo by Bobbie Revel]

REGISTRATION CLOSED.

   JUNE 17th HAS BEEN MOVED TO JUNE 3rd   

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

FIELD TRIP:       Birding by Ear at El Chorro Regional Park

DATE:                  Saturday, June 3, 2023

TIME:                   8:30am to 11:00am

LEADER:            Jessica Griffiths

Trip is limited to 15 participants. Signups will be taken for 24 hours. 15 participants will be randomly selected. The remainder will be put on standby status in case of cancellations. Only registered people may attend.

DESCRIPTION:

It’s nesting season and the birds are singing so "Birding by Ear" is back. Join Jessica Griffiths for a bird walk along the trails of El Chorro Regional Park, focusing on bird songs and calls. She will ID all of the bird songs heard, as well as presenting helpful tips and mnemonic devices for remembering bird songs This bird walk will be approximately one mile long at a slow to moderate pace. The terrain is gentle, over a variety of surfaces.

Wear sturdy walking shoes, bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks as needed. Bring binoculars and dress in layers. Restrooms are available. Rain cancels.

Note: Day use parking is $3.00.

ADA Accessible: No

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required!

Registration will open on the morning of MAY 20^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 Revel Robbie@morrocoastaudubon.org

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PACIFIC FLYWAY - June 2023

June 2023

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EUREKA! THE BIRDS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY - March/April 2023

March/April 2023

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MCAS Field Trip - JUN 23 - Summer at Morro Rock

Things are Lookin' UP at Morro Rock [photo by Robbie Revel]

 Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

FIELD TRIP:       Summer at Morro Rock

DATE:                  Friday, June 23, 2023

TIME:                   9:00 am to 11:30 am

LEADER:            Claudia Freitas

CO-LEADER:     Karen Watts

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

Description: Our leisurely walk will include a visit to both sides of the rock to observe cormorants, pelicans and nesting gulls. Breeding plumage will be on display. We will look for our resident Peregrine Falcons and their juveniles, as well as land birds occupying the coastal sage scrub on the rock. Walk will be about 1 mile along a flat dirt path and pavement.

Wear a hat, sturdy walking shoes and dress in layers as it can be cool and windy. Bring binoculars, sunscreen, water and snacks as needed. Scopes and cameras are welcomed. Restrooms are available in the parking area. Rain cancels.

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

ADA Accessible: Yes

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required!

Registration will open on the morning of JUN 8^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 Revel Robbie@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Field Trip - JUN 4 - Rising Tide at Sweet Springs Nature Preserve

Sweet Springs Nature Preserve

REGISTRATION CLOSED.

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

FIELD TRIP:       Rising Tide at Sweet Springs Nature Preserve

DATE:                  Sunday, June 4, 2023

TIME:                   9:00am to 11:00am

LEADER:            Mark Mushkat

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

Audubon Sweet Springs Nature Preserve with its two viewing platforms and meandering trails will allow us panoramic views of the estuary, wetlands and mudflats. High tide brings dabbling and diving ducks and lots of shore birds closer in for excellent observation opportunities. The expansive vegetation can also harbor many other species. Dirt paths and level boardwalks make for easy walking of approximately 1 mile.

Wear sturdy walking shoes and dress in layers as it can be cool and windy. Bring binoculars, sunscreen, water and snacks as needed. Restroom (port-a-potty) is available at the East entrance. Rain cancels

ADA Accessible: Yes

Experience Level: All Levels Welcome

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required!

Registration will open on the morning of MAY 23^rd. 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 Howell at freddy@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Community Program - JUN 12 - Birding Field Trip & Annual June Picnic

2022 June Picnic (photo by Joanne Aasen)

When:      Monday, June 12th, 2023

What:       5:00 - 6:15 pm - Informal birding walk

                 6:15 - 7:15 pm - Picnic

Where:    Dairy Creek Group Area

                El Chorro Regional Park

      2961 Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo

Cost:        There is a $3.00 entry fee (April-September) for Weekday use of El Chorro

MCAS will hold its annual June Picnic at the Dairy Creek Group Area, 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.

Dairy Creek Group Area is ADA accessible.

The potluck picnic will be held from 6:15 to 7:15 pm. Bring a dish to share (w/utensils), and your own reusable table setting (plate, cup, silverware, 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.

Prior to the picnic, an informal birding field trip around El Chorro Regional Park will be held from 5:00 to 6:15 pm. Join Jay Carroll and Eric Wier for a late afternoon walk through the varied habitats and surrounding environs of El Chorro Regional Park. This short bird 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, California 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 will be required.

We’d love to have you join us!

Questions? Email Wendy McKeown at wendy@morrocoastaudubon.org

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VIDEO now available - Offshore Wind Along the Central Coast - MCAS Community Program

Offshore Wind Turbines [photo courtesy of Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)]

WATCH PROGRAM VIDEO on MCAS YouTube Channel

Description: Linda Krop will talk about the multi-year process for development of wind energy projects offshore the Central Coast. She will discuss the state and federal planning processes, as well as the leases that were recently sold in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area. She will provide an overview of potential impacts as well as opportunities to avoid or minimize such impacts. She will also talk about the relationship between the offshore wind leases and the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Finally, she will provide information about next steps in the local wind energy development process and ways that the public can engage.

Bio: Ms. Krop is Chief Counsel at the Environmental Defense Center (EDC), where she has worked as an attorney since 1989 and served as Chief Counsel since 1999. Ms. Krop specializes in oil and energy issues, as well as cases that protect open space and natural resources. She was the lead counsel in the successful efforts to prevent development of the Hearst and Fiscalini Ranches, and to defeat Phillips’ proposal to transport oil by rail to its Nipomo refinery. In addition to working at EDC, Ms. Krop teaches Environmental Law at UC Santa Barbara.

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MCAS Field Trip - JUN 9 - Breeding Birds of MDO Bluff Trail

American Oystercatcher on Nest and with Egg

REGISTRATION CLOSED.

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents

FIELD TRIP:       Breeding Birds of MDO Bluff Trail

DATE:                  Friday, June 9, 2023

TIME:                   9:00am - 11:30am

LEADER:            The Revel Team

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

Join the Revel Team for birding the bluffs at Montaña de Oro State Park. Our trail follows the sea-bluffs along the rocky coast of the south end of MDO Bluff Trail. We will focus on the breeding and nesting behavior of Black Oystercatchers, Pigeon Guillemots, and Brandt and Pelagic Cormorants. The rocky coast here presents spectacular views, great surf, and an amazing display of geology. Includes 1-2 miles of slow walking.

Bring binoculars. Field Guides are also helpful. Hats and sunscreen, water and snacks are suggested along with dressing for cool and windy conditions. Scopes and Cameras are welcome. Restrooms are available. Rain cancels.

ADA Accessible: No

Experience Level: All experience levels welcome

Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required!

Registration will open on the morning of MAY 25^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 Robbie Revel Robbie@morrocoastaudubon.org

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