Birding the Morro Bay Estuary

Photo: Feeding Frenzy Morro Bay by Steve Schubert

Identify over 70 species of migratory, wintering and year long resident birds. Learn to recognize many birds by sight and sound. At popular birding areas in diverse habitats within the Morro Bay watershed, participants will observe passerine (perching) birds; shorebirds such as sandpipers and plovers, waterbirds including ducks, geese, loons, grebes, gulls, pelicans and cormorants, long-legged waders such as herons and egrets, and birds of prey, including peregrine falcon and osprey. Morro Bay's salt marsh, mudflats, estuary, beach, dunes and associated upland watershed are recognized as vital feeding and resting habitats for thousands of birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway, from as far away as the arctic tundra in the north to the neotropical rain forests in the south. The annual Morro Bay Christmas Bird Count ranks in the highest 10 counts in North America for the numbers of bird species found. Class is weather permitting. Van transportation provided. Bring a sack lunch, water, binoculars, and birding field guides (optional). 

A $2 parking permit is required to leave your vehicle on campus during the field trip

WEATHER POLICY…If a class is canceled due to safety or weather issues, students will be notified by Cuesta Community Programs. The class will be rescheduled or full refunds will be given. If the class or program is on the weekend, the instructor will make the decision and contact all registered students.