San Luis Obispo County is a VERY popular destination for bird watchers.
SLO County, especially the area near Morro Bay, is one of the top-ten birdwatching sites in the
Birds found in SLO County range from the smallest hummingbirds to huge wild turkeys and brown pelicans. Many of these bird species live year-round in SLO County. Many other birds visit San Luis Obispo on their annual migrations along the coast of California.
Famed “Morro Rock” itself is now a protected bird sanctuary that is NOT accessible to humans.
There is an annual Bird-Watching Festival in Morro Bay.
This is held every year during the Martin Luther King weekend in January. Hundreds of people participate in their lectures, vendor displays and tours. The tours travel to all parts of SLO County, so that birds with inland habitats are also discovered. Fun fact – during the January 2008 Bird Watching Festival, the attendees spotted more than 165 different birds species!
SLO County is also a perfect spot to enjoy the nation-wide “Big Sit”. This is a nation-wide event in which bird-watchers restrict themselves to a very small area and try to spot as many bird species as possible.
Check out the local Audubon Society for bird watching tips.
Following is a list of year 'round prime areas to go bird-watching in SLO County. All are also popular stopping points for migratory birds. Click here for a more complete list.
- Atascadero Lake
Lage inland park with lake. - All year you can admire the Egrets and Herons.
- Baywood Park
- Morro Coast Audubon Overlook, a covered platform overlooking Estuary.
- All Year come out and enjoy the many Shorebirds.
- Los Osos
- Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, where trees and freshwater pond next to Estuary.
- All Year you can watch the Passerines, Gulls, and Ducks.
- Nipomo
- Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area, which is a freshwater Lake next to Ocean.
- All Year you can gaze at the Sora and Green Herons.
- Santa Margarita Lake
- Large inland Reservoir.
- All Year you can watch the breath taking Golden Eagles. During the winter season the Bald Eagle is also present.
If you are looking for additional information we suggest checking out a great Slo County Bird Watching website which is maintained by Cal Poly. Click here.
