Morro Bay is home to Morro Rock, a 576-foot-tall hill that was created by volcanic activity.
There’s no shortage of scenic getaways scattered across the California coast, but for nature lovers in particular, it’s tough to find a better destination than Morro Bay. Perched on the western coast of San Luis Obispo County, this charming city is a year-round destination thanks to its abundant natural beauty and outdoor adventure opportunities—and when January rolls around, one particular event offers incredible opportunity for seasoned birders.
For more than 25 years, the Morro Bay Bird Festival has drawn ecotourists from far and wide to experience the vibrant biodiversity of the region firsthand. Spanning this year from January 13th to January 16th, each annual iteration offers visitors an opportunity to stake out a highly-coveted spot along the Pacific Flyway, a migratory path that spans from Patagonia to Alaska on the western edge of the Americas. Raptors, waterfowl, passerines, and a wealth of other birds make an appearance each year, serving as a huge incentive for birders to flock to the region in droves.
Surf scoters typically feed on shellfish, though they also eat crustaceans and fish when available.
“The 2023 Morro Bay Bird Festival this month brings hundreds of birdwatchers together in celebration of wildlife and environmental conservation,” says Robbie Revel, Community Outreach Committee Member of the Morro Bay Bird Festival. “With Morro Bay being a Globally Important Bird Area and serving as a major stopover for tens of thousands of birds, our destination is the perfect place for those to vacation and spend their time birding.”
Curious about what species might make an appearance this year? The sparkling waters of Morro Bay serve as the perfect breeding ground for mollusks and crustaceans alike, so a wide variety of water-dwelling birds are guaranteed for visitors. A diverse array of loons, grebes, and gulls can be found bobbing along the water on a clear day, while black oystercatchers, American avocets, and black-crowned night-herons scan the shoreline for food just a few feet away. And of course, no winter birding excursion is complete without spotting a few sea ducks, with species like the surf scoter, bufflehead, and hooded merganser all calling the region home.
Male Anna’s hummingbirds are equipped with a bright band of feathers around their neck.
Further inland, the landscape morphs into dry woodlands and open grassland, drawing a fascinating array of transient and resident species alike. Fearsome predators prowl the skies all throughout the year, with golden eagles, ospreys, and northern harriers all among their ranks. In the oak forests, passerines like the Savannah sparrow and Cassin’s kingbird can be found flitting from branch to branch, while the dazzling Anna’s hummingbird may make an appearance to lucky visitors.
Birding is a particularly entertaining pastime, but even the most devoted hobbyists need a break from time to time, and fortunately, Morro Bay is loaded with a wealth of other nature-focused attractions to keep visitors busy. In the southern reaches of the city, the Museum of Natural History offers insight into the many species that call the region home, highlighting beloved local mammals ranging from sea lions to sea otters. After a trip to the museum, animal lovers can set off on the open ocean to put their cetacean identifying skills to the test with Morro Bay Whale Watching.
While the Morro Bay Bird Festival is a particularly popular event, the city is a spectacular ecotourism destination all throughout the year. From tiny hummingbirds to massive raptors, the avifauna found across the region is truly a spectacle to behold—and as an added bonus, there’s no shortage of adorable sea otters to spot along the way. If you’re planning a California coast road trip in the near future, don’t miss out on Morro Bay, one of many wildlife-rich gems nestled along the San Luis Obispo coast.
