Dunes Center: Bird Hike at Oso Flaco Lake

Join the Dunes Center for a great bird hike at Oso Flaco Lake at 8:00 a.m. on June 15, 2024, led by John Deacon (Ornithologist). This 3-mile and 2-3 hour hike will take us from the parking lot out to the ocean.  Don’t be intimidated by the distance of this hike.  If you only want to do a 1 or 2-mile hike, or even just a 100-yard hike, you won’t be disappointed.  We’ll often be treated to numerous species singing while we gather in the parking lot to start our hike.  The “Willow Tunnel” is famous for warblers, vireos and sparrows serenading visitors on their way to the Lake.

At the Lake, we’ll find that most of the ducks have headed north to their breeding grounds (a notable exception is the colorful Ruddy Duck), but that doesn’t mean we won’t see lots of cool birds.  Terns, swallows, grebes and wrens should be easy to spot on the Lake, all sporting their beautiful breeding colors.

On the quick walk out to the ocean, we’ll almost certainly see a California specialty, the California Thrasher.  These long-billed relatives of mockingbirds can often be found posted up on top of bushes singing their territorial and complicated songs.

The Pacific Ocean is the wild card for these excursions.  Lately, lots of loons in their stunning breeding plumage are being spotted near the coast on their migration north.  And there is always a chance we’ll spot whales.

So, be at the parking lot at 8:00 a.m. and join our docent John Deacon, Ornithologist, for what is sure to be a fun and informative morning.  We’ve included a few pictures of the birds we may see on our hike.  See you there!