Morro Bay Bird Festival

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Morro Bay Bird Festival

The Morro Bay Bird Festival is a yearly eco-tourism event promoting awareness of the environment
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Morro Bay and the surrounding area is an idea spot for avid birders. Located on the Pacific Flyway, Morro Bay is a Globally Important Bird Area and a designated State and National Estuary. Morro Coast Audubon Society always ranks in the top five for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. A total of 206 different species were spotted during the 2011 Festival, with 126 on Sunday's Big Day alone! Check ou

t the list of birds seen during this past and previous Festivals. The 2012 Festival features a record number of individual events -- 117 (15 of which are new) -- including pelagic cruises, boat rides and kayaking in the Bay, van trips throughout the county, as well as many informative workshops. All-day and half-day tours take participants to a wide variety of habitats, including deep water pelagic, oak woodland and riparian, wetland and estuary, and the unique grassland habitat of the Carrizo Plain. Workshops will cover a vast array of topics ranging from beginner birding classes to gull identification and a new workshop on feathers. Our keynote speaker, Jon Dunn, will lead a workshop and field trip on sparrows. "Fun for the Family Day" is being repeated with additional activities.

09/04/2026

Big news! Our 2027 keynote lineup is here, featuring three extraordinary leaders in birding, ecology, and wellness.

Holly Merker
Award-winning author, podcaster, and birding guide Holly Merker is a pioneer in Mindful Birding—exploring the deep connection between birds and human wellness. Co-author of Ornitherapy and founder of the Mindful Birding Network, her work has been featured in the New York Times, British Vogue, and AARP.

Pete Dunne
Retired Director of the Cape May Bird Observatory and founder of the World Series of Birding, Pete Dunne is an iconic voice in birding with over 20 books to his name. Best known for expanding the frontiers of raptor identification, his latest book is The Courage of Birds.

Morgan Tingley
Associate Professor at UCLA and incoming President of the American Ornithological Society, Dr. Morgan Tingley researches how birds adapt to climate change and wildfires. An award-winning ecologist, his work on migration and conservation regularly captures national headlines.

Festival Details:
Dates: January 14–18, 2027
Registration Opens: November 7, 2026
Click the link in our bio to learn more!

08/28/2026

Coastal scrub on one side, open ocean on the other. 🦅✨

Local birders and previous festival attendees: Do you recognize this trail?

(Hint: Keep your eyes peeled for raptors hunting over the brush on the way out, and bring your scope for the cliffside finish!) 📸

Drop your guess in the comments!

California State Parks

08/21/2026

Looking for the ultimate winter getaway on California’s Central Coast?

Mark your calendars for the annual Morro Bay Bird Festival, returning January 14–18!

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just looking to escape to the coast, Morro Bay offers an unforgettable escape:
🦩 Avian Wonder: Nestled along the Pacific Flyway, our estuarine waters and sheltered mudflats become a winter home for over 250 species of resident and migratory birds.
🌊 Bay Life & Coastal Charm: Experience the peaceful pulse of our 2,300-acre National Estuary - spotting sea otters, kayakers, and fresh seafood catches along the waterfront.
⛰️ Monolithic Views: Unwind with local coffee or stroll the embarcadero under the timeless shadow of Morro Rock, our iconic 576-foot landmark.

From cozy local shops and fresh seafood to guided wildlife boat tours and pristine coastal trails, Morro Bay delivers small-town warmth with big, breathtaking nature views.

🗓️ Festival Dates: January 14–18
🎟️ Registration Opens: November 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM PST (Events fill up quickly, so plan ahead!)

👉 Tap the link in our bio learn more!

08/08/2026

30 years of birding in paradise! 🌊🦆 Join us for the Morro Bay Bird Festival | Jan 14–18, 2027

✨ 230+ guided trips, kayak tours & photo workshops
✨ Beginner & ADA-accessible field trips for all levels

⏰ Set your alarms: Registration opens Nov 7, 2026 @ 8 AM PST!

🔗 Details at the link in bio.

07/25/2026

Save the Date: 30 Years of Birding Magic! 🦅✨

Mark your calendars for the 30th Annual Morro Bay Bird Festival: January 14–18, 2027!

From kayaking through the estuary to spotting rare birds on the trails, this milestone year is going to be unforgettable. Whether you're a seasoned pro with a giant telephoto lens or just bought your first pair of binoculars, there’s a place for you here.

What to expect:
🌊 230+ guided trips, classes, and events (by boat, bike, kayak, and foot!)
📸 Photography workshops & a buzzing festival marketplace
♿ ADA-accessible and beginner-friendly field trips
⏰ SET YOUR ALARMS: Registration opens Saturday, Nov 7, 2026, at 8:00 AM PST. Spots sell out FAST!

🔗 Head to the link in our bio to learn more!

07/15/2026

Mark Your Calendars!

✨ The 30th Annual Morro Bay Bird Festival is January 14–18, 2027!

Come celebrate nature, conservation, and our incredible avian friends on California’s breathtaking Central Coast! Hosted in one of the Pacific Flyway’s most biodiverse estuaries, this milestone anniversary event is a true world-class experience.

Festival Highlights:
➡ Choose Your Adventure: 230+ events, expert master classes, and field trips.
➡ Explore by Land & Water: Birding tours via kayak, bike, boat, or foot.
➡ Skill Up: Dedicated photography and video workshops.
➡ Inclusive & Welcoming: Beginner-friendly outings and ADA-accessible options.
➡ Community Fun: A vibrant festival marketplace, movie night, and local charm.

Discover why Morro Bay is a globally recognized Important Bird Area and a coastal town you won't want to leave.

Key Date: Registration opens Saturday, Nov 7, 2026, at 8:00 AM PST. Spots vanish fast, so don't hit snooze!

Learn more at the link in our bio!

01/23/2026

Big wins for the Central Coast! 🌊🦅 Two San Luis Obispo County photographers have taken top honors in the 2025 California Wildlife Photo of the Year contest.

🥇 2025 Photo of the Year: Alice Cahill Subject: Bald Eagle hunting American Coot Location: Atascadero Lake The Story: After tracking the eagle's movements and waiting for hours, Alice captured the exact moment the eagle secured its catch in mid-air. Judges called the timing and clarity "perfect."

🥈 California Watchable Wildlife Award: Jacqueline Deely Subject: Long-billed Curlew with Sand Crab Location: Morro Bay State Park The Story: A renowned conservation photographer, Jacqueline captured the largest North American shorebird perfectly probing for its dinner.

A huge round of applause for capturing the wild magic of SLO County! 👏

01/20/2026

That’s a wrap on the final day of the festival! 🦅

Our featured trip to Harmony Headlands did not disappoint. The sky was alive with raptors today—we spotted everything from Golden Eagles, Kestrals and White-tailed Kites to Northern Harriers and Red-shouldered (and Red-tailed) Hawks. To top it off, we were privileged to see two Loggerhead Shrikes and a Lawrence’s Goldfinch! What an absolutely incredible way to close out the experience.

SLO CAL California State Parks Morro Bay CA

01/19/2026

Another beautiful day at the Morro Bay Bird Festival!

Today's Highlights include:
Rock Walk and Stop & Scope at Morro Rock
Pecho Willows and Cuesta Inlet in Los Osos
Grebes Walk on Water at Morro Bay Vet's Hall by KS Nature Photography
Pacific Wildlife Care Animal Ambassadors at the Morro Bay COmmunity Center

01/17/2026

Morning on the bay = Pure magic. ✨

Today’s highlights: 🦅 2 Bald Eagles 🦅 2 Osprey 🪁 1 White-tailed Kite 🦆 Endless ducks, grebes, and shorebirds

The perfect start to the weekend. Who else is out in the field today? 👇

Address

1001 Kennedy Way
Morro Bay, CA
93442

Website

http://www.morrobaybirdfestival.org/, https://linktr.ee/MorroBayBirdFestival

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