Raft of Geese
Bewick's Wren
California Thrasher
Reeds just below Bush Lupine Point; two Avocets and some ducks.
Morro Manzanita
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Elfin Forest Activities
By Jean Wheeler
Saturday, January 2
The volunteer work party known as the "Weed Warriors" will meet from 9 am to about noon. Anyone is welcome to join in and help pull obnoxious invading weeds and work on projects to reduce erosion. Wear comfortable sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves, and park at the north end of 15th Street in Los Osos, avoiding driveways and mailboxes.
Third Saturday WalkâJanuary 16, 9:30 a.m.
Animal Tracks: Join Evan Albright, an animal track expert, in learning who is "tracking up" the Elfin Forest. Evan will demonstrate how to tell which are the front feet or back feet of a raccoon, and what the difference is between coyote tracks and dog tracks. Visitors will learn to look for other signs that a wild resident of the Elfin Forest has passed that way, such as hairs on a fence or "scoot" marks where the animal squeezed through a fence hole. This walk will open up a complex world of the Elfin Forest's inhabitants, one that we would never suspect while walking along the boardwalk.
Park at the north end of 15th Street (16th Street for wheelchairs) off Santa Ysabel in Los Osos. Walks begin on the boardwalk at the end of the 15th Street sand path. Wear comfortable shoes, long sleeves and pants to avoid poison oak and mosquitoes. Please park carefully, avoiding driveways and mailboxes.
Besides docent-led events, visit the Elfin Forest any day: Experience the quiet natural beauty of this small wilderness area. Park at the north end of any street from 11th through 17th streets off Sta. Ysabel in Los Osos (please avoid blocking driveways or mailboxes) and take a sand path to the boardwalk or the wheel-chair accessible boardwalk entrance at 16th Street.
Coming Up in the Elfin Forest
The Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival is held in January every year, January 15-18 this year, because this month hosts so many species and large populations of birds wintering over on our Central Coast. The Elfin Forest is at the heart of all this winter respite for birds. From the overlooks at Bush Lupine Point and Siena's View, the estuary seems virtually covered with ducks, geese, and other waterbirds in many species. There are several thousands of birds in just two geese species, Canadian and Brant. Then there are the diving ducks, such as Greater and Lesser Scaup and a great many Buffleheads and Ruddy Ducks. Dabbling ducks are often easy to identify from the boardwalk overlooks as they feed in the shallow water just below. These include Northern Pintails, American Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, and three species of Teal (Blue-winged, Cinnamon, and Green-winged). Both Brown and White Pelicans are common in the air and on the water. On the bay or the marshes and mud flats bordering the Elfin Forest all five species of grebes are likely to be present, as are Great and Snowy Egrets, American Avocets, and several other shorebird species.
There is also a lot of activity in the dune scrub and chaparral surrounding the boardwalk. There are as many as eight species of Sparrows among the smaller birds, as well as Bewick's and House Wrens, Bushtits, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Anna's Hummingbirds. Somewhat larger birds include Wrentits, California Thrashers, two species of Towhees, Western Scrub Jays, Northern Mockingirds, and Quail. Turkey Vultures and several species of Hawks often soar in the updrafts over the dune cliffs along the estuary.
The flowering season has already begun with the excellent early rain in October, and with more heavy rains in early December we should have an excellent winter and spring wildflower season. Buckbrush Ceanothus (white) and Morro Manzanita (pinkish white) were already in bloom in early December. California Peonies and Fuchsia-flowered Gooseberries (both red) were rapidly coming on, and all four species should continue through and beyond January. Keep checking shrubs and herbs along the boardwalk, as many of our spring wildflowers are likely to burst into bloom early and copiously this year, triggering still more activity among the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife residents of our wonderful small wilderness area!
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