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Pismo Drifting Sand
All of our state parks in the San Luis Obispo area offer a wide variety of
birds such as sandy beach shorebirds, water birds and raptors. In
particular, Morro Bay is an outstanding natural resource that has many
species of birds. Be sure to visit the Heron Rookery and the Back Bay
designated as a National Estuary in Morro Bay State Park. Morro Rock
Nature Preserve provides a home to a handful of peregrine falcons that
use this area for their nesting sites. Check out the monthly schedule of
Adventures in Nature for guided hikes and lectures about birds.
birds such as sandy beach shorebirds, water birds and raptors. In
particular, Morro Bay is an outstanding natural resource that has many
species of birds. Be sure to visit the Heron Rookery and the Back Bay
designated as a National Estuary in Morro Bay State Park. Morro Rock
Nature Preserve provides a home to a handful of peregrine falcons that
use this area for their nesting sites. Check out the monthly schedule of
Adventures in Nature for guided hikes and lectures about birds.
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival
Every January many species of birds return to the Morro Bay area and
the Morro Bay State Park. Their return is celebrated each year at the
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, held over the Martin Luther King Holiday
Weekend. According to the Winter Bird Festival’s website, “Morro Bay
area is known for its natural beauty and is a Globally Important Bird Area
on the Pacific Flyway.” Birders spotted 213 species (http://www.morro-
bay.net/birds/sightings2004.htm) during the January 2004 Festival.
Every January many species of birds return to the Morro Bay area and
the Morro Bay State Park. Their return is celebrated each year at the
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival, held over the Martin Luther King Holiday
Weekend. According to the Winter Bird Festival’s website, “Morro Bay
area is known for its natural beauty and is a Globally Important Bird Area
on the Pacific Flyway.” Birders spotted 213 species (http://www.morro-
bay.net/birds/sightings2004.htm) during the January 2004 Festival.
In ancient times, Roman birdwatchers formed a society of priests or “augurs”
who told the future from various “auspices” or signs such as the flight
appearance of certain birds. Remnants of the lore of “augury” are seen in such
modern English phrases as “under good auspices”. Today, however, most
birdwatchers are people with a desire to return to nature and enjoy the beauty,
song and charm of birds.
There are a few essentials you should have with you when you trek out to the
fields and marshes. Binoculars and a field guide are a must for serious
birdwatchers. It is recommended that a beginner use binoculars with a
magnification of 7 or 8 times. Too much magnification can be disorienting and
appear fuzzy. A field guide is also necessary. There are a number of simple yet
complete guides available at nature centers and bookstores. There is always
the possibility that you will spot an unfamiliar bird that you will want to check out
in your guide before you forget what it looks like.
It is best to start early in the morning. Birds are most active from sunrise to
about 9 or 10 a.m. You will probably do a lot of walking. Dress for the weather
and environment. Comfortable clothes such as long pants and boots are
recommended for hiking along the trails. Bright colored clothes make you more
conspicuous, so wear them only when you want to be seen. Walk quietly and
avoid making sudden movements.
Fortunately for birdwatchers, birds occur everywhere. Here at San Simeon
Creek campground there are several places to go to look for birds.
who told the future from various “auspices” or signs such as the flight
appearance of certain birds. Remnants of the lore of “augury” are seen in such
modern English phrases as “under good auspices”. Today, however, most
birdwatchers are people with a desire to return to nature and enjoy the beauty,
song and charm of birds.
There are a few essentials you should have with you when you trek out to the
fields and marshes. Binoculars and a field guide are a must for serious
birdwatchers. It is recommended that a beginner use binoculars with a
magnification of 7 or 8 times. Too much magnification can be disorienting and
appear fuzzy. A field guide is also necessary. There are a number of simple yet
complete guides available at nature centers and bookstores. There is always
the possibility that you will spot an unfamiliar bird that you will want to check out
in your guide before you forget what it looks like.
It is best to start early in the morning. Birds are most active from sunrise to
about 9 or 10 a.m. You will probably do a lot of walking. Dress for the weather
and environment. Comfortable clothes such as long pants and boots are
recommended for hiking along the trails. Bright colored clothes make you more
conspicuous, so wear them only when you want to be seen. Walk quietly and
avoid making sudden movements.
Fortunately for birdwatchers, birds occur everywhere. Here at San Simeon
Creek campground there are several places to go to look for birds.
On the beach you will see birds such as pelicans, gulls, terns,
and sandpipers to name a few. A little farther inland - in
marshy areas near San Simeon Creek - the magnificent Great
Blue Heron is found along with egrets, ducks, marsh hawks and
kingfishers.
The San Simeon Creek bridge is a good place to see a variety
of these birds. On the plateau at Washburn campground, there
seems to be another group entirely. This is a grassland area
sprinkled with stands of tall trees. Here you will find Red
Shouldered Hawks, Kestrels, western bluebirds, Quail, and my
favorite, the Western Meadowlark. You will probably hear the
song of the meadowlark before you see the bird!
and sandpipers to name a few. A little farther inland - in
marshy areas near San Simeon Creek - the magnificent Great
Blue Heron is found along with egrets, ducks, marsh hawks and
kingfishers.
The San Simeon Creek bridge is a good place to see a variety
of these birds. On the plateau at Washburn campground, there
seems to be another group entirely. This is a grassland area
sprinkled with stands of tall trees. Here you will find Red
Shouldered Hawks, Kestrels, western bluebirds, Quail, and my
favorite, the Western Meadowlark. You will probably hear the
song of the meadowlark before you see the bird!
Some species are year-round residents of the park, such as
the Red Shouldered Hawk and Great Horned Owl. Some are
migratory - birds that stop on the central coast for feeding
during migration or overwintering in our mild climate.
Some birds are “accidental” species - a bird far out of its
normal range. -- A lost visitor.
Bird watching at San Simeon is great year-round. I’m sure you
will enjoy bird watching no matter what time of year you choose.
the Red Shouldered Hawk and Great Horned Owl. Some are
migratory - birds that stop on the central coast for feeding
during migration or overwintering in our mild climate.
Some birds are “accidental” species - a bird far out of its
normal range. -- A lost visitor.
Bird watching at San Simeon is great year-round. I’m sure you
will enjoy bird watching no matter what time of year you choose.
| Bird Watching |