| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Trip to River West Madera 8:00 am Field Trip to River West Madera @ River West Madera Oct 11 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm Field Trip to River West Madera Wednesday October 11, 2023 Register here! We will meet at 8:00 a.m. just outside the Valley Golf Center (which is south and down the hill from Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera County). The walk will mostly follow along... | The Raptor Trail Field Trip on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam 7:45 am The Raptor Trail Field Trip on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam @ The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam Oct 14 @ 7:45 am – 12:45 pm The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam Registration is required for this event. Register Here UPDATED MEETING TIME & PLACE We will be meeting at 7:45 for an 8:00 departure at the Walmart parking lot at the SE corner of Blackstone... | |||||
| Introduction to Birding October 21, 2023 9:00 am Introduction to Birding October 21, 2023 @ River Center Oct 21 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Introduction to Birding at the River Center 11605 Old Friant Rd Fresno, CA 93730 Please register for the October 21 event here. The Parkway Trust and Fresno Audubon Society have joined forces to offer a birding class that combines instruction, exploration, and fun! Beginning... | ||||||
| Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island 8:45 am Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island @ Sycamore Island Oct 25 @ 8:45 am – 1:00 pm Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island Registration is required for this event. Register Here Meeting location: Sycamore Island (36.8590560, -119.8230324) Meeting time: 8:45 AM End time: Noon, or you may stay and have lunch with the group Sycamore Island, part of the San Joaquin... | ||||||
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Nov
4
Sat
2023
Yokohl Valley
November 4, 2023
We will meet at the Ashlan/Blackstone WalMart at 8:30am for a quick departure. From there we will drive through Visalia to Yokohl Drive, about 12 miles east of Visalia, and start birding at the intersection of Highway 198 and Yokohl Drive. The trip will then follow Yokohl Drive up into the foothills, perhaps as far as the Bear Creek Fire Station. We will then retrace our path back to Fresno.
Plan for a full day of birding. Bring food and water, since there will be no opportunities to purchase anything after reaching Yokohl Drive. Since this trip will involve lots of driving and stopping along the road, participants are encouraged to carpool as much as possible. The fewer the cars, the easier it will be for the group to stop.
Among many other more common species, we stand a good chance of finding Greater Roadrunner, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Vesper Sparrow, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow on this trip.
Contact Kevin Enns-Rempel (559-313-4546) for more information.
Nov
8
Wed
2023
Nov 8 @ 8:00 am – 1:15 pm
Registration Required.
Link to Registration.
The Wednesday Walk on November 8 will be to the Madera(west) side of Millerton Lake and its campgrounds. We will meet at the Target parking lot at Riverpark at 8am and go from there. People are responsible for arranging carpools and rides in advance.
Our first stop will be the Highway 145 bridge at Friant and the Millerton forebay. We will look for waterfowl and wading birds, among other species.
Then we will head to the west side of Millerton Lake. We will first stop just inside the entrance kiosk and look for Rock Wrens and thrashers along the rocky shore. Then we will head to the parking area with the trailer facilities. The campgrounds in and around that area are good for raptors, sparrows, thrushes, towhees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, finches, and possible roadrunners.
Finally, we will go to the end of the road and the boat ramp area for more waterfowl, grebes, and possible loons. The weather will probably have turned cooler by then, so bring warm clothing and lunch.
For more information, contact Larry Parmeter at lanpar362@gmail.com or at 559-288-3456.
Checklist: binoculars, scope, field guide, snacks, lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, radios
Registration Required.
Link to Registration.
Nov
18
Sat
2023
Introduction to Birding at the River Center
11605 Old Friant Rd
Fresno, CA 93730
Please register for the November 18 event here.
The Parkway Trust and Fresno Audubon Society have joined forces to offer a birding class that combines instruction, exploration, and fun! Beginning birders will see and learn about local and migratory birds that might be visiting the River Center. New birders will discover easy ways to identify migrating and year-round, local birds. The class will include a walk looking for birds in the various habitats found at the River Center. We will meet at the new picnic shelter on the north side of the center. After learning about using binoculars and various aids in bird identification like guide books and phone apps, we will bird around the property. Bring binoculars, lunch, water and sun protection. Fresno Audubon will have binoculars to loan if you do not have your own. Children are welcome!
Rain cancels this event.
Class is held from 9 AM -12 PM on the third Saturday of each month from October through May.
Please register for the November 18 event here.
Nov
19
Sun
2023
Nov 19 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Intermountain Nursery will host a birding class given by Fresno Audubon Society on the beautiful nursery grounds. Beginning birders will see and learn about fall migratory and resident birds in the foothills. Birders will discover easy ways to identify migrating and year-round, local birds. The class will include a walk around the nursery looking for birds. Bring binoculars, lunch, water and dress in layers. Fresno Audubon will have binoculars to loan if you do not have your own. Children are welcome. Rain cancels this event.
Here is a map of the location of Intermountain Nursery.
Nov
24
Fri
2023
Opt Outside November 24, 2023
Thanksgiving this year is on Thursday, November 23, and the day after is Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. Instead of heading to the stores and braving the hordes of shoppers on Friday November, 24, please join Fresno Audubon for our #OptOutside event in and around the Friant area! We will be meeting at 7:30 AM at Friant Cove at the intersection of Millerton Road and North Fork Road (36.991123, -119.711654).
We will bird at Friant Cove for approximately 30 minutes, and after that, we will head to the Friant Interactive Nature Site, just down the road. After spending approximately an hour at the Friant Interactive Nature Site, we will head to the Fresno County side of Millerton Lake State Recreation Area (36.986393, -119.684266) and explore some of the habitat near the boat launch, and a part of the nature trail that parallels the road.
At Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, there is a $10 entry fee per vehicle (up to 9 people per vehicle). The cost for seniors is $9 per vehicle. If you have a State Parks pass, definitely bring it along! To reduce costs, we would like to encourage carpooling. Parking vehicles outside the entrance and walking in is not allowed per park rules. Our target species will include Bewick’s Wren, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, California Towhee, California Quail, White-breasted Nuthatch, Spotted Towhee, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Bald Eagle, and many more! We will likely be wrapping up at Millerton Lake around 1:30 or 2:00. Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. We will keep registrants informed of any changes.
Participants should bring day packs, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, plenty of water, snacks, lunch (if desired), and binoculars, and should dress in layers. Hiking shoes are recommended.
Registration is required for this event. Please register here.
Please reach out to trip leader Rachel Clark at tanagergirl@gmail.com or 515-357-0122 with any questions you might have.
Even if you’re not able to join us, we hope that you are able to Opt Outside on Friday following Thanksgiving!
Nov
29
Wed
2023
Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Nov. 29, 2023
Registration required: Please register here.
With winter migrants filling local refuges and putting on a tremendous show, it is a wonderful time to bird Central Valley wetlands. Join Fresno Audubon on Wednesday, November 29 for a tour of the Merced National Wildlife Refuge. We will meet at the MacDonald’s parking lot in the Marketplace at El Paseo (6741 N Riverside Dr, Fresno, CA 93722, see map) at 11:45 for a noon start. Secondary meet up is at the first parking lot of the refuge, near the bathrooms and the first observation deck, at 1:00pm (see map).
Map to McDonald’s
Map to MNWR
After driving the auto tour, we will gather at the second observation deck at sundown for the spectacular crane fly-in, which should end around 5:30pm.
Target birds include lesser sandhill cranes, phoebes, various sparrows, American pipits, numerous species of ducks and geese, American white pelicans, wading birds and shore birds, egrets, American coots, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers and other hawks. Also possible are bald eagles, great-horned owls, and vermillion flycatchers.
Participants should bring day packs, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, plenty of water, snacks, lunch (if desired), and binoculars, and should dress in layers. We probably will not be doing much hiking, but comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Please bring radios (walky-talkies) if you have them.
Registration required: Please register here.
Checklist: binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, jackets, snacks, water, insect repellent, and radios.
Trip Leader: Judy Johnson (559)977-2787
Dec
2
Sat
2023
Saturday Bird Walk at Sumner-Peck Ranch
Registration is required for this event.
Join trip leader Susan Heidebrecht for birding along the San Joaquin River on the beautiful Sumner-Peck Ranch property. It is mostly flat terrain with good trails. The walk will be approximately 1 ½ miles each way. Expect to see a variety of waterfowl, warblers, raptors, Belted kingfishers, and woodpeckers.
We will meet at the parking area at the end of the drive (do not turn left into the parking lot near the entrance, but drive straight ahead).
If you wish to bring lunch, there is a small picnic area near the parking lot. Seating, however, is limited, so it is recommended you bring a chair.
Participants should bring snacks, lunch (if desired), water, hat, sunscreen, and binoculars, and should dress in layers. Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader Susan Heidebrecht at sunheidebrecht@comcast.net or (559)313-1776
Dec
6
Wed
2023
Dec 6 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
California Condor
Please register for the trip here so we know how many to expect.
Pinnacles National Park Walk
Join George Folsom for a trip to Pinnacles National Park; there’s good chance you will see California Condors. We will meet in the parking lot at the Target Store located in the Marketplace at El Paseo (Herndon and Golden State Blvd.) at 7:00 AM and carpool to the park. The trip will take 2.5 hours of drive time, so we will stop along the way to bird and stretch our legs. We will meet at the Camp Ground Store parking lot in the Park. For those who choose to spend the night near the Park, we should arrive about 9:30 AM depending on traffic. Please note that this is a national park, and thus a fee is charged. Bring your National Park Pass, if you have one. This will be a long day trip, returning around 5 pm, so plan accordingly.
Checklist: binoculars, scope, field guide, snacks, lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, radios.
The Fresno Target Store meeting location is here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/
The Panicles National Park Campground Store meeting location is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/
Please register for the trip here so we know how many to expect.
Dec
13
Wed
2023
Wednesday Bird Walk at Jensen River Ranch
Registration is required for this event.
Join trip leader Wes Beal to explore Jensen River Ranch. We will meet at 8:00 a.m. the Art of Life Healing Garden next to the north east parking lot in Woodward Park.
From there we will walk down the Tom MacMichael Senior Trail to the San Joaquin River and along its bank upstream until we meet the Flood Control District’s ditch. We will continue along the MacMichael Trail following the ditch back toward the bluff, and circle back to the parking area. We hope to see many of our usual suspects including scrub jays, black phoebes, house finches, lesser goldfinches, red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, turkey vultures, American kestrel, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants and great egrets. Some of the fall returnees may show up as well, including cedar waxwing, northern flickers, various and sundry sparrows as well as migrating waterfowl.
Depending on time and interest, we may walk over to the large pond near the Park entrance, which should be populated with Canada geese, mallards, American coots, and pied-billed grebes, among others.
The $5.00 City entrance fee applies if you park in Woodward Park. Alternative parking may be available in the Fort Washington Shopping Center.
Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader Wes Beal at (559) 250-2988 or beal4farms@gmail.com
Dec
16
Sat
2023
Elegant Terns, Malibu Lagoon, by Rick Grijalva
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, Fresno Audubon will be hosting the annual Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count, which covers sections of both Fresno and Madera Counties. Participants will be assigned to particular sections, and will count each of the birds they see and hear. Generally, the count lasts from dawn until dusk, but we understand that some people who wish to participate might not be able to devote that much time to the count, and that is perfectly alright! Participants can devote as much or as little time as they desire, so do not be deterred if you cannot count birds all day! Even if you are not a birding expert, you can still partake in the count if you are willing to pair up with an expert birder, so do not let that deter you, either!
If you are interested in participating, or have any questions, please reach out to Lost Lake CBC compiler/Fresno Audubon president Rachel Clark at tanagergirl@gmail.com.
Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, the Christmas Bird Count, held annually from December 14-January 5, is a time during which citizen scientists from all over the Americas turn out to count birds in designated areas, collecting valuable data on the long-term health and status of bird populations. For more information about the history of the Christmas Bird Count and how the data is used, follow this link: https://www.audubon.org/
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