MCAS Field Trip - DEC 5 - MB State Park Marina King Tides Stop & Scope


Shorebirds at Morro Bay Estuary [photo by Faylla Chapman]
Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents   

 

Field Trip:                 MB State Park Marina King Tides Stop & Scope  

Date:                          12/5/2025  

Time:                          8:30am to 10:30am  

Leader(s):                 MCAS Leaders  

 

Description: 

Take a Holiday Break—Experience the King Tide! Sunday, December 5. Drop in anytime between 8:30–10:30 AM Marina Boardwalk, Morro Bay. Step away from the holiday rush and bring the kids and grandkids to witness a spectacular natural event! The December King Tide, one of the highest tides of the year, will peak at 7.1 feet at 9:02 AM—and it’s the perfect chance to see shorebirds up close as they move in with the rising water.

 

This is a relaxed, come-and-go event—not a formal field trip. We’ll have spotting scopes set up at the back platform and along the first stretch of the boardwalk. Knowledgeable leaders will be there to help you identify winter shorebirds, migrating species, and the land birds that inhabit the surrounding coastal sage scrub.

 

What to Know:

  NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

  Drop by anytime between 8:30 and 10:30 AM

  Bring binoculars and cameras

  Dress in layers for cool and windy weather

  Come for the “Oh! Ah!” moment of the King Tide—and discover what birds follow the receding waters. A great outing for all ages!

  This field trip is ADA accessible, restrooms are available, and the trip is open to all levels of experience.

  Rain Cancels

 

Directions: The Morro Bay State Park Marina is located across from the entrance to the Morro Bay State Park Campground. The address is: 10 State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442.

 

Reminders will be sent out on 12/25/2025 to MCAS members and those on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST. Not on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST? CLICK HERE to add your email to this list. 

 

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

 

Questions? Send email to: robbie.revel@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Field Trip - DEC 5 - King Tides Explained

View of Morro Bay Estuary at High Tide [photo by Faylla Chapman]
Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents   

 

Field Trip:                  King Tides Explained  

Date:                          12/5/2025  

Time:                          8:30am to 9:30am  

Leader(s):                  Faylla Chapman  

 

Description: 

Join Faylla Chapman  as she explains the ups and downs and in and outs of King Tides and the interaction of the Sun and Moon, and how it affects our local Bay. After the first part of the field trip, the group will walk out to the Bay and witness this natural occurrence that happens only a few months of the year. Afterwards you may join the informal Stop and Scope for the Birds. 

 

Bring your own binoculars and cameras. Dress for cool and windy conditions. The complete loop is a short walk of about one mile on a boardwalk and dirt path. 

 

This field trip is ADA accessible, restrooms are available, and the trip is open to all levels of experience. Rain cancels.

 

Registration: Registration will open on the morning of 11/25/2025 with notification sent to MCAS members and those on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST. Not on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST? CLICK HERE to add your email to this list. 

 

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

 

Questions? Send email to: robbie.revel@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS In-Person December Community Program & 72nd Annual Morro Bay CBC Compilation

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December 12, 2014 CBC Potluck and Tally [photo by Steve Schubert]
MCAS In-Person December Community Program & 72nd Annual Morro Bay CBC Compilation

 

Program:           MCAS Business & Morro Bay CBC Compilation Program

 

When:                Monday, December 15th, 2025, 2:00pm - 4:30pm

 

Where:               San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden  - Oak Glen Pavilion, 3450 Dairy 

                             Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

 

Presenter(s):    Business by Nancy Foley and CBC Program by Jay Carroll

 

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

No signup/registration is required to attend. 

 

To support MCAS’s mission and activities, including Community Programs, please consider becoming a member of MCAS.

 

Description of Business: 

Announcement of Libbie Agran Scholarship Awards.

Description of Program: 

Join us to celebrate yesterday’s discoveries and share stories from the field at our in-person COMMUNITY PROGRAM and CBC COMPILATION!

The Morro Bay CBC Compilation will be led by Jay Carroll, CBC Compiler, active member, and leader in our birding community. The compilation is the culmination of the 72nd annual Morro Bay Christmas Bird Count, held on Sunday, Dec 14th. A count of all species seen will be tabulated. 

Bring an appetizer or dessert to share, and enjoy an afternoon of camaraderie and conversation as we tally the results of this year’s count. Beverages will be supplied.

All are welcome, even if you did not participate in the CBC! It’s just fun to know what birds were found during the count… maybe even some rarities!

For those unable to attend in person, we are providing a Zoom option (but you’ll miss the goodies!): Join Zoom Meeting Zoom Meeting ID: 944 7346 8749 Passcode: 683311 

 

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

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Annual Libbie Agran Scholarships Being Offered to Cuesta College Students

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Every year, the Morro Coast Audubon Society is pleased to award two scholarship to a Cuesta College student who is pursuing an education and career in some aspect of biology, wildlife conservation, ecology, water and air quality or any other related field. The selection is based on the student’s overall academic progress, financial need, leadership skills, and participation in community activities such as citizen science or service.

This scholarship is made possible by the on-going generosity of Libbie Agran.

To VIEW, PRINT, or DOWNLOAD the Scholarship Application click READ MORE. Then move cursor over the application displayed below and click the "Pop-out" icon in the top-right corner. From the now newly opened window, you can read the application. OR use the icons in the top-right corner to PRINT or DOWNLOAD the application.



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MCAS Field Trip - NOV 23 - Morro Strand Fall Shorebirds

Elegant Terns along Morro Strand [photo by Bob Revel]
REGISTRATION CLOSED.

Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents   

 

Field Trip:     Morro Strand Fall Shorebirds  

Date:             November 23, 2025  

Time:             9am to 12 Noon  

Leader(s):     Revel Team  

 

Description: Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Morro Strand and through coastal sage scrub habitat in search of arriving fall migrants and beach-dwelling shorebirds. We'll explore the pond and outflow of Alva Paul Creek, a freshwater source that attracts a variety of birds - including gulls, terns, and more. This easygoing walk covers about 2 miles along a flat trail and beach, with some sections of deep sand. We’ll move at a relaxed pace, allowing plenty of time for observation. 

 

This field trip is not ADA accessible, restrooms are available, and the trip is open to all levels of experience.

 

Registration: Registration will open on the morning of 11/13/2025 with notification sent to MCAS members and those on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST. Not on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST? CLICK HERE to add your email to this list. 

 

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

 

Questions? Send email to: robbie.revel@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS 2025 MB CBC Registration is OPEN!

Those were the days my friends... [courtesy of National Audubon]
2025 Morro Bay Christmas Bird Count

 

Registration for the 2025 Morro Bay Christmas Bird Count is now OPEN!

 

This year’s Morro Bay CBC will be held on Sunday, December 14th.

 

There is no fee to participate in the CBC and all skill levels are welcome. MB CBC Registration is required for you to participate. You are asked to register by Monday, December 1st so that the 54 sectors can be organized in order to provide thorough coverage of the entire circle. After you register your Area Leader, who coordinates multiple sectors, will contact you in early December. Full MB CBC Details

 

Please take a few minutes to Register Here and scratch it off your TO DO list.

 

A few Reminders...

 

Partner With:

If you are partnering with others, please check that those individuals have also registered. They must register separately from you.

 

Bird Feeders:

If you live within the count circle and have bird feeders, yet do not want to do a sector count, you can still participate and share your bird-watching talents by counting birds at your feeders (full-day sector counters can do Both). Just check "Only" (or “Both”) in the Bird Feeder question when you register.  Read eBird article "Counting 102--birds at feeders" for more information. 

Questions: contact Jay Carroll at CBCMBCompiler@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Field Trip - NOV 20 - Habitat - Windy Cove Mud Walk

Mud Flats at Windy Cove [photo by Faylla Chapman]

REGISTRATION CLOSED.


Morro Coast Audubon Society Presents   

 

Field Trip:     Habitat - Windy Cove Mud Walk  

Date:              November 20, 2025  

Time:             2pm to 4pm  

Leader(s):     Faylla Chapman & Sharon Iranpour  

 

Description: Take a walk down to Windy Cove, located below the Morro Bay State Park Natural History Museum, where we’ll explore the plants, mud, and the fascinating organisms that inhabit this unique environment. We’ll also search for creatures living in the upper intertidal zone on the rocks around the base of the Museum and into the Marina. Restroom facilities are available at the Museum.

 

This field trip is not ADA accessible, restrooms are available and the trip is open to all levels of experience.

 

Registration: Registration will open on the morning of 11/10/2025 with notification sent to MCAS members and those on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST. Not on the MCAS ALERT EMAIL LIST? CLICK HERE to add your email to this list. 

 

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

 

Questions? Send email to: robbie.revel@morrocoastaudubon.org

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MCAS Zoom Community Program - NOV 17 - Saving Birds from Window Collisions: Simple Solutions for a Big Problem

Two Birds Killed in Window Collision [photo by Travis Longcore]  
MCAS November 2025 Zoom Community Program  

Date:         Monday, November 17th, 2025, 7:00 pm  

Title:          Saving Birds from Window Collisions: Simple Solutions for a Big Problem  

Presenter: Travis Longcore, Ph.D.  

 

Join Zoom Meeting Zoom Meeting ID: 949 5768 7990; Passcode: 052674

 

Please consider becoming a Member of MCAS to support MCAS’s mission and activities, including Community Programs.

 

All MCAS Zoom Community Programs are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. No signup/registration required to attend.

 

Description: 

Each year, millions of birds die from colliding with glass windows, unable to perceive the transparent or reflective surfaces as barriers. These fatalities pose a serious threat to bird populations, but simple, effective solutions—such as patterned window films, external screens, and strategic lighting adjustments—can dramatically reduce collisions. This presentation will explore the science behind bird-window strikes, highlight successful mitigation strategies, and provide practical steps that individuals and communities can take to make their buildings bird-friendly.

 

Bio:

Travis Longcore, Ph.D., is an expert in urban ecology and conservation science, with a specialty in the impacts of artificial light and human-built environments on wildlife. He is Senior Associate Director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA and Co-chair of its Environmental Science and Engineering doctoral program.

 

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

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