Morro Coast Audubon Presents: May 11th – Spring Global Big Day – Second Annual Event
Five Trips to Choose From!!!
Join the Morro Coast Audubon Field Trip committee and our ACE (Active Community Engagement) trips 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’ll spend time 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 must havean eBird account to participate. Learn how to make an account here. It is easy!!!
EACH of the 5 trips is limited to 12 participants - Signups will be taken for 24 hours or until all trips are full. Participants will be randomly selected. The remainder will be put on standby status in case of cancellations. Your eBird User name or eBird Email address is required to register. Each participant will receive a confirmation and fee payment instructions.
COST: $25 fee (payable three days after you are confirmed)
The funds go directly to supporting MCAS environmental education programs throughout SLO County. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will go to eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Registration and RSVP to confirmation Required!
5 Trips Scheduled for May 11th. Later you will select one in the registration form.
1 MORRO ROCK
Leisurely walk will include a visit to both sides of the rock to observe nesting cormorants, gulls, and our resident Peregrine Falcons, as well as land birds occupying the coastal sage scrub on the rock. We will practice our birding skills and enter our observations into the eBird Mobile App. Meets at 9:00 am at Morro Rock. Trip lasts ~3 hours. About 1 mile along a flat dirt path and pavement.
ADA accessible: Yes.
Levels: Beginner & Intermediate
Leaders: Robbie Revel & Susie Reddy
2 OSO FLACO LAKE
A Big Day of birding at Oso Flaco Lake. Our route will cover the willows along the entry road, the boardwalk across the lake and marsh, and the dunes/ocean at the end of the trail at Oso Flaco. Targets include migrating warblers, bitterns, rails and shorebirds and pelagic birds. This is a long 7-hour day. Meet at 8:00 am at the Oso Flaco Lake parking lot. There is a $5.00 Day-Use fee for parking in lot. About 3 miles of slow walking on even trails, boardwalks, and sandy beaches.
ADA accessible: Yes, for walk-in trail and boardwalk only.
Levels: Intermediate & Advanced
Leaders: Mark Mushkat & Max Taylor
3 ATASCADERO LAKE
Join bird photographers Ann Stockert and Jeanette Stone for this bird walk around Atascadero Lake. There will be tips on how to photograph birds and upload photos to eBird as a tool to verify identification. The walk is approximately one mile long, at a slow to moderate pace. The terrain is gentle, over flat surfaces. Expect to see numerous species in a variety of habitats. Hawks, eagles, ospreys and numerous waterfowl are easy to see and photograph at this location. Trip begins at 8:30am, 2-3 hours in length.
ADA accessible: Yes
Levels: All levels; cameras recommended
Leaders: Anne Stockert & Jeanette Stone
4 TURRI ROAD BIRDING AND BIKING
A unique birding and biking experience on Turri Road. With good weather, we should see over 50 species. Birding from the bike can often yield birds you miss birding by car. It is recommended that all participants have a rear light for their bike and a bright colored shirt or jacket for riding, as well as water and a snack. Target species include Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Grasshopper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Horned Lark. This will be a very leisurely bike ride, geared for many stops for birds - not for serious exercise. The trip will take approximately 4 hours. Meet at the dirt pullout area at Turri Rd. and South Bay Blvd. at 8:00 am. We will start and end at the same location, and will bike between 5 to 9 miles depending on our birding pace. A helmet is required. All bikes should have multiple gears for hills.
Levels: All levels; moderately experienced bikers recommended
Leader: Jim Royer
5 LOS OSOS HOTSPOT TOUR
We’ll start at Montaña de Oro at Islay Creek Campground with some morning birding for passerines. Then, we’ll head to Pecho Willows to see migrants. We’ll then make our way to Sweet Springs, the Audubon Overlook, and finish at Turri Rd tidal ponds. Highlights will be large numbers of passerines, and hopefully more than 100 species for the day. We’ll spend time learning how eBird can be used in the field.
Meet at Spooner Ranch House parking area at 8:00 am. The trip will take approximately 4 hours. 2-3 miles of walking at a slow and moderate pace.
ADA accessible: Yes, but not at Pecho Willows.
Levels: Intermediate to Advanced.
Leader: Torrey Gage-Tomlinson
What to Bring for Field Trips:
Bring a hat, water, snacks, lunch (for full day trips), sunscreen, binoculars, and field guides (if you have them) and dress in layers to accommodate wind and changing weather. MCAS may be able to provide you with binoculars if needed. Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Scopes and cameras are encouraged. Restrooms are available at all locations.
Fee: $25 (payment details will be in confirmation email)
Registration will open on the morning of MAY 3rd. On that date, MCAS members will automatically receive an ALERT with the LINK to the Field Trip’s Registration Form.
Non-members will receive an ALERT with the LINK ONLY if they have joined the MCAS ALERT or the SLOCOBIRDING email list. You can join MCAS ALERT via JOIN MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST in the Footer of the MCAS website or SLOCOBIRDING via Groups.io.
Please consider becoming a member of MCAS to support MCAS’s mission and activities, including Field Trips.
Questions? Email Robbie Revel: robbie@morrocoastaudubon.org
