What: 27th Elfin Forest Big Sit
Date: October 12th –
Time: from early morning to sunset
Leader: Jim Royer
Jim Royer is looking for birders to help out with this year's big sit. The annual Elfin Forest Big Sit will take place on Sunday October 12 this year. This is the 27th year for the annual local Big Sit from the Elfin Forest (last year's local count did not occur). It is part of a nationwide (some foreign countries also) count started by the New Haven Bird Club in Connecticut. All participating counts take place on the same weekend.
For those who have not participated before, we will bird in shifts and keep a list of all the birds we see and hear in one day from one spot - the overlook of in Elfin Forest known as "Bush Lupine Point". From this vantage point we will be able to see the coastal scrub of the Elfin Forest, the Morro Bay Estuary, the nearby hills, and the edge of residential Los Osos. We have tallied as many as 122 species in one day from this one spot! Many years we spot 100 or more species. It’s a beautiful location with an incredible view. The birding changes as the tide goes in and out and the day warms up. (The long term prediction is for clear skies and highs in the low to mid 70's).
It is an opportunity to meet many of the local birders and to share food and drink as the day progresses. We will also compete against other big sits across the country and in foreign countries, who will count on the same weekend. See
https://www.thebigsit.org for more info on the Big Sit. Prior unusual birds recorded at the Elfin Forest Big Sit include Snow Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Black Rail, Pacific Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Parasitic Jaeger, Sabine's Gull, Black Skimmer, Reddish Egret, Short-eared Owl, Burrowing Owl, Red-throated Pipit, Clay-colored Sparrow, Palm Warbler, and Blackpoll Warbler.
Before the count, I need to know who is willing to help so that I can make sure we have coverage from early morning till sunset. The count needs birders who feel comfortable identifying all the usual local birds. Please let me know if you can help spot birds on this Big Sit and when you are able to help. I will try to assign one or two hour shifts for spotters at a time when they are available so that at least two birders are present for the whole day. Birders who are unable to commit to a time can come at any time. Anyone who wants to come out and see how things are going is welcome after 9 am. Any and all snacks are welcome for the counters and others present.
Please let me know when you can count by Saturday, October 4, so I can make a schedule for the count. Thanks to all who are able to help. It is a good time and place for some relaxing birding from a scenic location. I will give directions to the count site before the count.
Good Sitting,
Jim Royer
Los Osos
anJtb3Rtb3QgfCBnbWFpbCAhIGNvbQ==
805-748-7895
You may also like the following events from Morro Coast Audubon Society:
