Morro Bay Bird Festival draws more than 700 attendees for 5 days of birding events
Birders from all over the United States gathered in Morro Bay beginning Thursday morning for five days of educational events and bird watching.
The Morro Bay Bird Festival is expected to draw in more than 700 attendees, rising to about 800 by Monday, festival organizer Robbie Revel said.
“It’s our biggest year ever,” she said, adding that attendees had a list of more than 200 events to choose from.
Events offered through the festival help experts and beginners learn more about birds on the Central Coast and range from kayaking on the Morro Bay estuary, to walking on trails around the bay and driving to other areas throughout the county to spot birds.
Experts leading events include Jon Dunn, author of the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Jennifer Ackerman, author of “What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds,” and John Muir Laws, an artist and leading expert on nature journaling.
Attendees can also learn how to create a nature journal, improve their bird photography and identify the unique songs that birds make.
Morro Bay is considered one of the most important habitats along the Pacific Flyway. More than 200 types of birds can be found here during the winter while they migrate in search of breeding grounds or food.
During the 2022 Christmas bird count, volunteers tallied more than 45,000 birds in a 15-mile area encompassing the Morro Bay estuary, according to data from the Morro Coast Audubon Society.
“If you want to bird, this is the spot to do it. This is where the birds come,” said Freddy Howell, another Morro Bay Bird Festival organizer.
The Morro Bay Bird Festival kicked off Thursday morning and lasts through Monday.
Registration fees range from $48 to $178, and those wishing to register must do so in-person at the Morro Bay Community Center. Some festival events require additional registration fees to rent kayaks or pay for gas for bus trips, for example.
On Saturday, a free community family day will be offered, especially geared for young people.
Attendees on Saturday can learn about condors, beavers, nature journaling, sea otters and bird habitats from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morro Bay Community Center. Pacific Wildlife Care will show live animals, and another activity will give visitors the chance to dissect owl pellets.
Also on Saturday, booths set up at the community center with a range of gear for birders — including binoculars and scopes — will be available for testing and purchasing.
“There is no birding store in SLO County anymore, so this is really an excellent opportunity to come try things,” Howell said.
Registered bird festival attendees are also able to earn discounts from several local businesses by showing your festival badge.
For example, Beads by the Bay is offering a 15% discount off all beads, Morro Bay Garden is offering 15% off all sales, Harmony Cellars is offering a 2-for-1 wine tasting, La Katrina Authentic Mexican Cocina is offering 25% off regular menu items and Top Dog Coffee Bar is offering 10% off.
Those curious about all things bird festival are encouraged to stop by the Morro Bay Community Center between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday and 6:45 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Monday.
