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Field trips are given monthly, and sometimes more than once a month. Everyone is welcome to join in, you do not have to be a member of the Morro Coast Audubon to participate. There is no charge for the trips, except for our annual pelagic trip, and any parking or gasoline sharing fees.

NOTE: Some of our fieldtrips will be on short notice. To be aware of those types of trips, and to keep updated on planned trips, join MCAS Alert! for email updates. Join here.

YOUTH OUTREACH COORDINATOR: Carlo Christian has volunteered to assist both the Field Trip and the Education Chairpersons in getting young people involved in our MCAS activities. Contact Carlo with your ideas about youth programs or to volunteer a little of your time to help with future youth activities. Contact him at : carlocc@sbcglobal.net or at 528-4587.

MOBILITY IMPAIRED: Welcome to Linda Sewell who has graciously volunteered to assist as field trip Liaison to those with limited mobility. Linda is an MCAS member and resident of Arroyo Grande. She is filled with energy and optimism, and does not allow her disability to limit her joy of birds and nature. Please contact her with your interests, ideas, questions and concerns at LMS1@PGE.com or 801-5095. NOTE: Please pass this information on to non-MCAS members … they are welcome at all MCAS field trips! Thank you Linda!!

 

MAY 2008 FIELD TRIPS

 

MAY 18th (SUNDAY): SANTA MARGARITA LAKE: (Details HERE.)

 

May 31st (SATURDAY): DE ANZA TRAIL / SALINAS RIVER:   Meet Roger Zachary at 7:30 AM at the Horse Arena on the North Ferro Carril Road. We will walk along the de Anza Trail section of the Atascadero Mutual Water Company’s property. The walk is very easy, on a trail that borders the Salinas River and the distance is no longer than 2 miles round trip. We will be birding in mixed oak woodland and riparian woodland along the Salinas River.  We should be able to identify approximately 30 species or more. Suitable for younger birders. Check out the website www.amwc.us.  To register go to the calendar.  Space is limited; please RSVP via email at the address listed at website or call Jamie Lien 461-7217 ext. 17.

 

JUNE 2008 FIELD TRIPS

 

CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUND ROAD

Wednesday June 11th
Leader: Alan Schmierer. A great riparian corridor to see a variety of birds and to learn bird songs and calls. About 2 miles of walking will be slow and easy; on a paved road and maybe some on a pretty good trail (some mild up and down slopes). A fun birding area for birders of all skill levels. We will finish before lunch, but you may want water and a snack. For time and meeting place or other questions contact: Alan at aaschmierer@yahoo.com or 772-2026.

 

 

CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUND ROAD AND RIDGE

Saturday June 14th
Leader: Alan Schmierer. This will be a repeat of the June 11th trip, but will be a little faster-paced, and on this trip we will continue past the campground and make a loop: up to the AT&T Road, to TV Tower Road, north along the ridge and back down the Boy Scout Trail to the parking lot (see “detail map” at B-6 at the website: http://www.morrocoastaudubon.org/birdguide.htm  ). It is about 5 miles, the trail is steep and rocky and ascends about 1,000 feet to the ridge. Great views, but birding will be much “slower” than along the creek. You will want water and a lunch or snack. Some may want to join for the walk to the campground, then return to the parking area on their own, while the rest of the group continues. Weather may cancel or modify plans. For time and meeting place or other questions contact: Alan at aaschmierer@yahoo.com or 772-2026.

 

 

POSSIBLE AUDUBON FIELD TRIP TO KERN COUNTY JUNE 7 & 8

Michael McQuerry, an expert birder, has offered to lead us to some great birding locales.  We would meet at the Kern River Preserve early on Saturday morning and bird the preserve, Fay Ranch Road and possibly some new acquisitions.

Sunday we would head up to the Trail of 100 Giants. . (For more information on these areas, consult pages 123-139 of the ABA/Lane A Birder’s Guide To Southern California , by Brad Schram.) Limited to 8 participants. This trip is designed for birders at the “intermediate” or “experienced” level. Camping is possible and there are local motels.

If you are interested, please email Maggie Smith, milleniummaggs@charter.net or call 710-4356.  Please contact Maggie by May 15 so she can decide if this trip is feasible.

BINOCULARS / BIRD GUIDES: For loan.

MCAS now has 10 pairs of binoculars and 5 “small” Sibley bird guides for loan to young birders or others who may not have them available for a field trip. To reserve the use of these binoculars and books for activities, contact Emily Jagger at ejagger@charter.net. These binoculars have been purchased by MCAS, and are on-hand now.  The binoculars were sponsored by: Wendi Craig, Cheryl Lesinski, Donna O, Laura Kass (2 pairs), Norma Wightman, Richard & Prisila Johnson, Dick Boyd, Nancy Anderson and Alan Schmierer. The books were sponsored by: Doug Stinson, Priscilla Aikin, Mike Stiles, and Alan Schmierer. Thanks to all of you who have contributed in a small way to the future of our youth!!


ALAN SCHMIERER, FIELD TRIP CHAIRMAN aaschmierer@yahoo.com or 772-2026


 

TO ALL MCAS MEMBERS: THE MCAS YOUTH MENTOR CHALLENGE!

There is the realistic fear that the youth of today are being progressively deprived of experiences in the world of their natural surroundings. It is a psychological fact that fast-moving electronic devices demand more attention than serenity and contemplation. This new faster-paced world is a fact and it is here to stay … and will progress. This trend is inevitable, and is perhaps positive.

What may also be inevitable, however, is that it is hard to love what you do not appreciate or understand. And it is hard to conserve what you do not love nor understand. I am not alone in my fear that youth of today may neglect an irreplaceable and necessary world of wild things and places.

Be a small part of the SOLUTION! It is easy! Accept the “MCAS YOUTH MENTOR CHALLENGE”! All you have to do is to personally identify one youth of any age, and share some part of the natural world with them at least six times in six months. It might be an hour or it might be a half-day at a time, depending on age. Take them birding, have them help you with a nature project like a survey or bird banding, take them on a wildflower walk, do a tide pool thing, accompany them on an MCAS Field Trip, etc. The youth might be a child, a grandchild, a motivated student, a neighbor, Share a part of nature that you are passionate about, and they will be sparked by that passion!

For each of you who completes the challenge, I will give you and the youth each a bird photo of your choice (dry-mounted, laminated, approx 5x7 to 8x10 in size) as a reminder of the experience.

REMINDER: I will periodically schedule some last-minute field trips. To keep apprised of last-minute changes or additions, or to be reminded of other upcoming Morro Coast Audubon events, join our MCAS Alert! email announcement system. To join look for the link to MCAS Alert! on the home page of this website and fill in the form. Thank You.

Alan Schmierer. aaschmierer@yahoo.com (preferred) or 772-2026.

 

Broad-winged Hawk by Brad Schram