San Luis Obispo County Birding

Tiptoeing through the sand or desert, trying out a bird call or two, waiting patiently, quietly for a black-legged kittiwake or red-naped sapsucker to touch down―a slower pace of life in SLO CAL means plenty of time to commune with the natural world, including the birds of the air. Roll down the windows, coast along PCH and keep your eyes peeled. From the dramatic coastal waters of Montana de Oro State Park to the dry grasslands of the Carrizo Plain, San Luis Obispo County hosts a multitude of protected habitats where birds of all shapes, sizes and stripes can be found, all year long. According to the Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS), a reported 464 species of birds populate San Luis Obispo County, including osprey, albatross, several species of hawk, loons and owls―even puffins and eagles. With a pair of binoculars, water, sunscreen, a guide book and a sense of adventure, everyone―from the casually curious to the seasoned birder―can get in on the search.