Birds and Blossoms Field Trip

Birds and Blossoms Field Trip

Learn bird calls and plants of the El Moro Elfin Forest in the town of Los Osos. This park on the south end of Morro Bay supports more than 200 plant species and 110 bird species in its brackish marsh, riparian woodland, pygmy oak woodland, maritime chaparral, and coastal dune scrub plant communities. Our hike leader, naturalist and Audubon guide Jessica Griffiths, will help us learn bird songs and calls to aid in identifying birds even when you cannot see them. Native plants of the Elfin Forest and their associations with birds will be discussed. Total distance will be 2 miles with 100 feet elevation gain and will be mostly on the boardwalk loop. The 16th Street entrance of the Elfin Forest has wheelchair access. The hike is expected to take about 2.5 hours.

This trip is limited to 25 local CNPS participants to allow quiet conditions for listening to birds and because of space limitations on the boardwalk. To reserve a spot on this hike, email Bill Waycott at the email address below, add “Audubon” in the subject line, and make sure to specify how many people will be in your party. Parking is limited to a few spots at the road ends or along adjacent roadsides, so carpooling is recommended. The meeting spot for the start of the hike will be sent to those who RSVP.

Bring water, snacks, hat, sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for changing weather. For this hike, binoculars and a field notebook for taking notes are recommended. Plant and animal lists for the Elfin Forest can be found here. There are no bathrooms at this park but public bathrooms are available approximately 2 miles away at the South Bay Community Center and adjacent Los Osos Community Park at 2180 Palisades Avenue, Los Osos, CA 93402.

California Native Plants that Attract Birds

California Native Plants that Attract Birds

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Plant these natives to attract birds to your garden.

Don’t forget that insect eating birds will visit most of these plants when looking for spiders, gnats, flys, moths, etc.

Genus/Species Part Used When Specific Birds
Acacia Greggii Seeds Summer Mourning Dove
Atriplex species Leaves/Seeds Sum/Fall Finches, Quail, Sparrows, Towhees
Abies concolor Leaves All-year Blue Grouse, Red Crossbill, Clark’s Nutcracker Pygmy Nuthatch
Acer macrophyllum Seeds/Buds/Flowers Spr/Sum/Fall Evening Grosbeak, many others
Acer negundo Same as macrophyllum in all categories
Achillea borealis. Seeds Summer Goldfinches
Adenostoma fasciculatum Seeds Summer Goldfinches
Alnus rhombifolia Nesting Spring Warblers
Seeds Summer Pine Siskin, Goldfinches
Buds Spring Cedar Waxwings
Alnus rubra Same as rhombifolia all categories
Amelanchier alnifolia Fruits Summer Many Species
Antirrhinum multiflorum Flowers/Seeds Spring/Sum Hummingbirds & seed eaters
Aquilegia species Flowers Spring/Sum Hummingbirds
Arbutus menziesii Fruit Fall Band-tailed Pigeon, Varied Thrush, Long Tailed Chat
Arctostaphylos species Fruit Sum/Fall Jays, Grosbeaks, Mockingbirds, Fox Sparrow
Flowers Late Win/Early Sp. Hummingbirds
Artemisia species Leaves All-Year Sage Grouse, Quail
Flowers /Seeds Spr/Sum /Fall Towhee
Asclepias species Stems, nests Spring Orioles
Aster species Seeds Fall Finches, Sparrows
Baccharis species Seeds Sum/Fall Finches, Sparrows
Beloperon californica Flowers Spr/Sum Hummingbirds, Finches, Sparrows
Ceanothus species Seeds Sum/Fall Quail
Cephalanthus occidentalis Seeds Sum/Fall Ducks
Cercis occidentalis Seeds/Flowers Spr/Fall Hummingbirds, Gold Finches
Cercocarpus species Seeds/Leaves Sum/Fall Blue Grouse
Chilopsis linearis Seeds/Flowers Spr/Fall Hummingbirds, Doves
Chrysothamnus species Seeds Sum/Fall Finches, Quail, Pine Siskin
Comarostaphylis diversifolia Flowers/Fruits Spr/Sum/Fall MANY SPECIES!
Cornus species Flowers/Fruits Spr/Sum/Fall MANY SPECIES!
Cupressus species Seeds Sum/Fall Red-breasted Nuthatch & others
Delphinium cardinale Flowers Spr/Sum Hummingbirds
Mimulus (Diplacus) species Flowers Spr/Sum Hummingbirds
Dudleya species Flowers Spr/Sum Hummingbirds
Eleocharis species Seeds/Culms/Tubers Fall Ducks, Teals,Geese, Scaups, Swans, Rails, Sandpipers, Snipe
Encelia californica Seeds Spr/Fall Sparrows, Finches
Equisetum species Stems/Rootstocks All-Year Geese, Swans, Waterfowl
Eriogonum species Leaves/Seeds All-Year Finches, Juncos, Sparrows, Towhees
Eschscholzia species Seeds Summer Quail
Forestiera neomexicana Fruit Summer Quail, Robin, Other Fruit Eating Birds
Fragaria species Leaves/Fruit All-Year MANY SPECIES!
Fraxinus species Seeds Fall Quail, Finches, Grosbeaks, Cedar Waxwings, Wood Ducks
Galvezia speciosa Flowers Spring Hummingbirds
Geranium species Seeds Summer Doves, Quail, Towhees
Helianthus species Seeds Fall Seed eating birds, Goldfinches, Bush Tits
Heteromeles arbutifolia Berries Winter Blue Birds, Robins, Band-tailed Pigeon
Heuchera maxima Flowers Spring Hummingbirds
Juglans californica Nuts Winter Jays
Keckiella species Flowers Spr/Summer Hummingbirds
Lavatera assurgentiflora Flowers/Seeds Sum/Fall Hummingbirds/Seed eaters
Lepechinia calycina Flowers Summer Hummingbirds
Lonicera species Flowers/Berries Spr/Sum/Fall Hummingbirds, Towhees, Robins, Thrashers, Bluebird
Lupinus species Seeds Summer Quail, Dove
Mahonia nevinii Berries Summer Bluebirds, Thrashers, Robins, Towhee
Mahonia aquifolium Berries Summer Thrashers, Robins, Towhees, Others
Malacothamnus species Seeds Fall Bush Tits/Others
Mimulus species Flowers Summer Hummingbirds
Monardella species Flowers Summer Hummingbirds
Penstemons species Flowers Spr/Sum Hummingbirds
Pinus species Seeds/Bark All-Year Jays, Nuthatches, Many species!
Platanus racemosa Fuzz/Seeds Spr/Winter Seed eaters, fuzz used by Hummers for nesting
Prunus species Berries Summer Jays, many others
Quercus species Seeds Fall/Winter Jays, Hummers, Many species!
Rhamnus species Berries Summer Jays, Thrashers, Berry eaters!
Rhus species Berries Spr/Sum Thrashers,Towhees, Many species
Ribes viburnifolium Berries/Flowers Win/Sum Hummingbirds, Thrashers, Towhees
Ribes species Berries/Flowers Win/Sum Hummingbirds, Jays, Thrashers, others
Rosa species Hips Sum/Fall Thrashers,Towhees Jays,Others
Salix species Insects/Catkins All-Year Many Species Use Galls
Salvia species Flowers/Seeds Spr/Fall Hummingbirds, Seed eaters
Sambucus species Berries/Flowers All-Year Many, Many Species
Scrophularia species Flowers/Seeds Spr/Sum Hummingbirds, Seed eaters
Shepherdia argentea Berries Summer Berry eaters
Sidalcea species Seeds Summer Thrashers, Seed Eaters
Solanum species Berries Summer Berry eaters
Stachys species Flowers Summer Hummingbirds
Trichostema lanatum Flowers Summer Hummingbirds
Washington Filifera Dates Sum/Fall Cedar Waxwings, Others
Epilobium (Zauschneria)sp. Flowers Sum/Fall Hummingbirds

Reference: Las Pilitas Nursery, with permission of Bert Wilson. Edited by Al Naydol and members of the San Luis Obispo Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.

Sketching at Three Bridges Oak Preserve

Sketching at Three Bridges Oak Preserve

Sketch and journal on this nature walk at Three Bridges Oak Preserve on Tuesday, April 15, starting at 10 am and lasting approximately 2 hours. Spring has come to Three Bridges and everything is leafing out and blooming.  There’s much to see on this easy loop trail:  we’ll stop to draw and identify plants, birds and anything else we find. We can also look for bear marks (scratching on trees). There’s a creek to cross. Although we often sponsor this hike on weekends for children, this Tuesday morning walk is being offered for adult persons but curious people of all ages are welcomed. Art materials are provided, and you can take your sketchbook home with you. Meet at the Three Bridges parking area in Atascadero (35.458096, -120.688223).

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for changing weather.  A plant list for Three Bridges Oak Reserve can be found on our website here. There are no bathroom facilities along the hike route. Rain or threat of rain cancel or postpone this trip.

Please register and sign a liability waiver below for this event.

Click here to register in English

Click here to register in Spanish

Spring Family Sketch and Plant Hike – Three Bridges Oak Preserve

Spring Family Sketch and Plant Hike – Three Bridges Oak Preserve

Spring has come to Three Bridges Oak Preserve in Atascadero!  Everything is leafing out and blooming. There’s much to see on this easy loop trail. We’ll stop to draw and identify plants, birds, and anything else we find. We can look for bear marks (scratching on trees). There’s a creek to cross. This hike is aimed at 5- to 10-year olds, but all are welcome. Art materials are provided and you can take your sketchbook home.

Please register and sign the liability waiver HERE for this event.

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for changing weather. A plant list for Three Bridges Oak Preserve can be found on our website here. There are no bathroom facilities at the park. Heavy rain (as well as flooding creek) cancels this trip but hike will still occur in light rain. If you have any questions about weather affecting the hike, contact the leader through contact info listed below.

Intertidal Zone Beach Walk

Intertidal Zone Beach Walk

Join Faylla Chapman, Sally Krenn, and Sharon Iranpour for a visit to the intertidal zone during low tide to learn about the multitude of algae species that inhibit the rocky shores in San Luis Obispo County. This afternoon of beach walking and bird watching will occur at China Cove in Estero Bluffs State Park, Cayucos, CA.  We will view any plants of interest as we walk across the bluff trail and then go down to the beach where we will see the rocky intertidal and beach wrack before strolling up the beach to observe birds and other things of interest.  Villa Creek flows into the sea at the northern-most point of this area.

Meet at the Villa Creek turnout (35.458567, -120.961201). Going north on Highway 1 from Cayucos, this is the sixth parking lot on the left after Highway 1 becomes two lanes, and is the last turnout before Highway 1 turns north towards Harmony.

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes that can get wet, binoculars, and dress in layers for changing weather. There are no bathroom facilities along the hike route. Rain or threat of rain cancel or postpone this trip.

Please sign the Liability Waiver and register for this event by clicking this link.

Winter Family Sketch and Plant Hike

Winter Family Sketch and Plant Hike

Bring the family and the neighbors’ kids to a Family Sketch and Plant Hike at Three Bridges Oak Preserve in Atascadero on January 18, 2025 from 9:30am to 11:30am.

Winter at Three Bridges can be cold and wet, the creek may be running high, but there is still lots to see and draw! Some of the trees drop their leaves and we can clearly see the branches. Other plants are already putting out leaves or even flowers (manzanitas and currants). It’s easier to see birds. What’s been scratching that tree, 12 feet up? This is an easy loop trail where we’ll stop and draw and name a few plants and their leaves, acorns, bark and anything else we find. It’s aimed at 5-10 year olds, but all are welcome. Art materials are provided and you can take your sketchbook home.

Please register and sign the liability waiver HERE for this event.

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for changing weather. A plant list for Three Bridges Oak Preserve can be found on our website here. There are no bathroom facilities at the park. Heavy rain cancels this trip but hike will still occur in light rain. If you have any questions about weather affecting the hike, contact the leader through contact info listed below.

Dune Plants of Montaña de Oro State Park

Dune Plants of Montaña de Oro State Park

Join us for a plant walk through the coastal habitat at Montaña de Oro State Park in Los Osos, including the fore and back-dunes, coastal scrub and maritime chaparral plant communities. We will also identify any shore birds we may encounter along the way. This is a moderate hike in loose sand with an elevation gain of 300 feet, 2.5-miles roundtrip, and a maximum of 2.5 hours. Meet at the Sand Spit parking lot located at the end of Sand Spit Road in the park (35.300317, -120.872514).

Please sign the liability waiver HERE to register for this event.

Bring water, snacks, hat, sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for changing weather.  A plant list for Montaña de Oro State Park can be found on our website here. There are no bathroom facilities along the hike route but there are bathroom facilities farther in the park near Spooner Ranch House Visitor Center. No entrance or parking fees are required. Rain or threat of rain cancels or postpones this trip. Be prepared to walk in very loose sand.

Photo by Bill Waycott.

Conservation Ranching & How it Benefits Grassland Ecosystems

Conservation Ranching & How it Benefits Grassland Ecosystems

What makes Shell Creek in San Luis Obispo County so beautiful in the spring with wildflowers? Join us on MONDAY, June 24, 2024 for a joint picnic with the Morro Coast Audubon Society to learn how conservation grazing practices benefit plants, birds and many other inhabitants of grassland ecosystems. Presented by Daniel Sinton, part of the family that owns and operates both the Avenales and the Shell Creek Ranch (of Shell Creek wildflower fame) and Grace Ferguson from the California Audubon Conservation Ranching Program. The presentation will be outside as we enjoy an early evening summer picnic at El Chorro Regional Park from 6 to 7:15 pm. Come early for an informal bird walk from 5 to 6 pm. Details below.

Location Details: El Chorro Regional Park in San Luis Obispo (see address and map below). Bird hike, picnic, and presentation will start and end at the Dairy Creek Group area which is the third group area on your left as you drive into the park (across the street from the SLO Botanical Garden Children’s Garden). The closest restrooms are located at the Lupine Group Day Use Area or near the entrance to the park. This is an ADA accessible group area.

RSVP: Please let us know if you are planning on attending, and how many hamburgers you would like us to prepare for your party by clicking on the link below.

RSVP HERE

Here is the complete link if you need it: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UO77j8tmfNTOs_3rI913H8m92dMKXFQwC5Y2Cpr_QQE

Picnic Details: Bring a dish to share (with serving utensils), and your own reusable table setting (plate, cup, flatware, etc.), in addition to a picnic tablecloth if you have one. If you’d rather not share, bring your own meal, OR have a hamburger on us – this year, MCAS, in conjunction with the CA Audubon Conservation Ranching Program, will be providing BBQ’d hamburgers made with CA Audubon Certified Bird Friendly beef for anyone interested. Assorted beverages and cookies will be provided by MCAS hospitality.

Birding Field Trip: Prior to the Picnic, an informal birding field trip around El Chorro Regional Park led by Torrey Gage-Tomlinson and Mark Mushkat will be held from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Join Torrey and Mark for a late afternoon walk through the varied habitats and surrounding environs of El Chorro Regional Park. This short bird walk will be over gentle terrain and will begin and end in the Dairy Creek Group area in time for the Morro Coast Audubon Annual Picnic! People of all birding skills are welcome. Some of the species we might expect to see include White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, California Quail, Western Scrub-jay, Western Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock’s Oriole. Bring your own binoculars and take a casual stroll with fellow birders. No signups are required for this birding walk.

Family Sketch and Plant Hike – Three Bridges

Family Sketch and Plant Hike – Three Bridges

What is there to see when it’s blazing hot? Lots! Bring the family for a sketch and plant walk at shady Three Bridges Preserve in Atascadero. The trees are cool and shady, and there may still be water in the creek! Some plants are sleeping (summer dormant), but some are still blooming and there’s always birds, insects, maybe even mammals. This is an easy loop trail where we’ll stop and draw and name a few plants. It’s aimed at 5-10 year olds, but all are welcome. Art materials are provided and you can take your sketchbook home.

Bring water, snacks, hat, sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for changing weather.  A plant list for the Three Bridges Preserve can be found on our website here. There are no bathroom facilities along the hike route.

Please sign the liability waiver HERE to register for this event.

CANCELED: Back Roads of the Carrizo Plain

CANCELED: Back Roads of the Carrizo Plain

THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO FORECAST OF RAIN. Possible rescheduling of this Carrizo Plain trip in late April. Check back here for details. In the meantime, we recommend you check our calendar here for the many other hikes, wildflower show, native plant sale, workshops, and meetings CNPS-SLO and others are sponsoring in April and May. You can also plan your own trip to the Carrizo Plain and we encourage you to check the BLM Carrizo Plain National Monument website and social media for most up-to-date information on the status of the wildflower bloom, and travel and safety conditions at this beautiful remote area.

Remember, seasonal wildflower blooms can vary from year to year even week to week. They are not simply a theatrical production for human enjoyment. They are important ecological events when plants use flowers to create seeds for their future generations. The flowers deviously attract and feed butterflies, native bees, birds and other animals to increase their seed production. Recent weather events like rain, drought, wind and freezing temperatures along with longterm climatic change and human activities can affect the amount and types of wildflowers that bloom at any one point in time. We encourage you to enjoy the variety of a bloom when you are hiking, look for animals visiting flowers, and see if you can detect subtle changes and how environmental conditions are shaping that bloom. As the season progresses, you can also look for and learn about the interesting shapes and sizes of developing seeds. Protect the bloom by staying on trails.

—————————————————BELOW CANCELED——————————————————

This year, the chapter’s spring field trip to the Carrizo Plain will focus on the southwestern side of the valley, as well as a possible ascent up Caliente Mountain Road. This outing will last the entire day. Only vehicles with high clearance (HCV) can be used on this field trip. HCV ground clearance should be 9 inches or higher. Please make carpool arrangements on your own before the event if you do not have a HCV. Limited seating in an HCV may be available at meet-up location, but not guaranteed.  Otherwise, participants without space in an HCV may wish to tour on their own the main roads in Carrizo Plain that do not require an HCV. Many roads in the Carrizo Plain can be difficult to travel after recent rains. Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas as this is a remote area without nearby services.

Meet at the Santa Margarita Park and Ride Lot on the Santa Margarita/CA-58 East exit off Highway 101, Lat/Long 35.383290, -120.628037.

Please sign the liability waiver HERE to register for this event.

A plant list for the Caliente Range of the Carrizo Plain can be found on our website here. You can also go to our website here to purchase wildflower books for Shell Creek, Highway 58 and the Carrizo Plain; some items are ebooks which need to be downloaded before you hit the trail. Some of the ebooks are free!

Bring water, lunch, snacks, hat, sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for changing weather.  Come prepared because this is a long and fun day. There are limited bathroom facilities along the hike route. Rain or threat of rain cancels or postpones this trip.

Photo: Caliente Range on East side of Carrizo Plain, 2023, Bill Waycott