Page 44 - SLO Visitors Guide Fall-Holiday 2026

44 FALL / HOLIDAY 2026 slovisitorsguide.com
Los Osos
Sweet Springs Nature Reserve—
a birdwatching paradise
Sweet Springs Nature Preserve
in Los Osos is one of the top
birdwatching locations in SLO
County. With 464 species of birds
recorded in SLO County, bird-
watching is the perfect outdoor
activity for families and an-
other reason for hiking and beach
strolls. Individual birds number
in the thousands, and at certain
times of the year, include migrat-
ing birds not normally seen in the
area. The Central Coast is one of
the four main migration routes
for birds in the Americas.
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, wood-
peckers, and many bird species
some of us may have never seen
before.
Spring and summer are nest-
ing seasons when birders look
forward to returning birds that
have been gone all winter. Along
with Central Coast birds that
Adding a different
experience to
hiking, beach
strolls, and family
time
The mountain bluebird (Silia currucoides), is a frequent Central Coast visitor.
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 day trips, and vaca-
tions to observe many different
birds in their natural habitats.
“The easiest way to get started is
to look out your windows,” says
Reddy. “You don’t even need bin-
oculars. You might be surprised at
what you see and hear, birds are
all around us!”
Joining a group is a family-
fun way to learn and make new
friends. The MCAS offers several
monthly bird walks, beginner
workshops, and in-depth learning
classes.
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! For more informa-
tion about birdwatching locations,
membership, and programs, visit
morrocoastaudubon.org.
—By Jackie Iddings
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.
According to Susie Reddy, out-
reach coordinator for the Morro
Coast Audubon Society (MCAS)
and the Morro Bay Bird Festival,
SLO County has some excellent
locations for bird watching. Pack
up the kids, binoculars, cameras,
a picnic, and head out!
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 Fiscalni Ranch
Preserve near Cambria.
Birdwatching inland
For great inland locations,
check out Meadow Park, El Chorro
Park, or Laguna Lake in San Luis