Keep an eye our for Bullock’s oriole.
San Luis Obispo County is a hotspot on the Pacific Flyway
—The Pacific Flyway is a major migratory route for billions of birds that travel between their breeding and overwintering grounds. The route stretches from Alaska to Patagonia, South America. Birdwatching during migration is the chance to see birds that most of us never see otherwise.
It’s no accident that hundreds of people also migrate to SLO County every January to participate in the Morro Bay Bird Festival. Another group that spearheads birdwatching activities is the Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS). There are plenty of opportunities for excellent birdwatching, so pack up the kids, binoculars, cameras, a picnic, and head out! Best to leave the dogs at home; many wildlife sanctuaries and preserves don’t allow dogs.
Sweet Springs Nature Preserve in Los Osos is one of the top birdwatching locations in SLO County. Birds that can be seen at Sweet Springs Nature Preserve include a rich variety of water birds and shore birds, bald eagles, ospreys, hawks, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and many bird species some of us may have never seen before.
With 464 bird species documented in SLO County, and individual birds numbering in the thousands, there’s no reason to stay home!
Birdwatching on the coast
For easy-to-reach locations in addition to the Sweet Springs Preserve, check out Oso Flaco Lake in Oceano. Favorite spots in Morro Bay are the marina boardwalk and Morro Rock. Farther north, visit Estero Bluffs State Park in Cayucos, the Harmony Headlands in San Simeon, and the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve near Cambria.
Birdwatching inland
For great inland locations, check out Meadow Park, El Chorro Park, or Laguna Lake in San Luis Obispo. The Bob Jones Trail at Avila Beach and Atascadero Lake in Atascadero are also easy-to-get-to locations.
Getting to know the birds
Learning to identify each unique species can range from curiosity about what’s in your backyard to trips to observe birds in their natural habitats.
Joining a group is a fun way to learn and make new friends. The MCAS offers several monthly bird walks, beginner workshops, and in-depth learning classes. The 2026 Morro Bay Bird Festival is scheduled for January 15–19, offering five days packed with special birdwatching opportunities, events, and presentations by leading ornithologists and naturalists.
Learn more about the Morro Coast Audubon Society at montereyaudubon.org, and the Morro Bay Bird Festival at morrobaybirdfestival.org.
If you’re not into bundling up on cold days, spring and summer are nesting seasons when birders look forward to returning birds that have been gone all winter. Along with Central Coast birds that don’t migrate, nesting season is an excellent opportunity to watch and learn. Species you might see during nesting season include the hooded oriole, Bullock’s oriole, black-headed grosbeak, cliff swallow, tree swallow, and Allen’s hummingbird.
The Sweet Springs Nature Preserve is located in Los Osos off Ramona Avenue and has been owned and managed by MCAS since 1989. The preserve offers hiking trails, beautiful views of Morro Bay and Morro Rock, and excellent birding opportunities. No pets please!
—Jackie Iddings
