EVENT CALENDAR - Fresno Audubon Society
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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Field Trip to River West Madera 8:00 am
Field Trip to River West Madera @ River West Madera
Dec 4 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Field Trip to River West Madera @ River West Madera
Field Trip to River West Madera Wednesday December 4, 2024 REGISTRATION Link    All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here River West Madera December 4, 2024 ...
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7
Saturday Field Trip – Merced Grasslands & Merced NWR 6:45 am
Saturday Field Trip – Merced Grasslands & Merced NWR
Dec 7 @ 6:45 am – 5:45 pm
Saturday Field Trip - Merced Grasslands & Merced NWR
Saturday Field Trip – Merced Grasslands & Merced NWR Registration required for all FAS field trips. All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here Registration for this...
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11
Merced Wildlife Refuge  (off Sandy Mush Rd) Location Change 10:00 am
Merced Wildlife Refuge  (off Sandy Mush Rd) Location Change @ Merced Wildlife Refuge
Dec 11 @ 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Merced Wildlife Refuge  (off Sandy Mush Rd) Location Change @ Merced Wildlife Refuge
Audubon Field Trip to Merced Wildlife Refuge Location changed from Eastman OR Hensley (TBD) due to lack of birds in this location. All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also...
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13
14
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count 2024
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count 2024
Dec 14 all-day
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count 2024
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count Details Subject to Change.   On Saturday, December 14, 2024, 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...
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Field Trip to River West Open Space 8:00 am
Field Trip to River West Open Space @ River West Open Space
Dec 28 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Field Trip to River West Open Space @ River West Open Space
Field Trip to River West Open Space Saturday, December 28, 2024 Event Details Subject to Change All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here Register here! Join...
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Nov
9
Sat
2024
Kings River Mitigation Site
Nov 9 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Kings River Mitigation Site

 

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here.

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

Registration Link

Leader: Rick Grijalva, rickgrijalva2@gmail.com

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Field Trip Description:

 

Join us for a new bird walk. This site is not usually accessible to the public, but Fresno Audubon Society and Westervelt Ecological Services have partnered for this unique field trip. Though not on the Kings River, the property is situated along the western extent of the historical Kings River floodplain. There are approximately 1.5 acres of open water on the site where Virginia Rails have been heard calling for over a year. Join us for an educational birding excursion led by Westervelt’s senior ecologist, Francesca Carrizo, and FAS President, Rick Grijalva. Likely bird species include a variety of hawks, warblers, sparrows, blackbirds, ducks, and other waterfowl.

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Meet at Faller Park at 7:45 a.m. to arrange carpools to the site. Park cars on 10th Street. We will leave at 8:00 a.m.  for the Mitigation Site.

NOTE:

  • Participants will need to sign a Westervelt Ecological Services waiver;
  • There are very little defined trails on the property, so the field trip will require walking off trail in uneven terrain with potentially tall grass – I recommend everyone wear pants and sturdy shoes they don’t mind getting dirty;
  • There are cows on the site and will likely have to avoid cow patties when we walk;
  • There are no bathrooms on the property.

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Registration Link

Nov
10
Sun
2024
Potluck Lunch Sumner Peck Ranch Fall 2024 @ Sumner Peck
Nov 10 @ 11:30 am – 3:30 pm

FAS FALL POTLUCK

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Sumner Peck Ranch

14439 N. Friant Road

11:30 am-3:30 pm

(12:00 Potluck Lunch)

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here

 

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

It’s been far too long since we were able to socialize together.  So, bring your favorite dish and join FAS for lunch at noon and birding at the beautiful Sumner Peck Ranch.  There is no entry fee and parking is free.  FAS will provide drinks and table service.  Take the drive from the gates to the parking area at the end of the drive.  The picnic area is just below the parking lot, next to the river. Let’s celebrate Fresno Fall birding together! Registration is required so that we have a head count. 

11:30-12:00 Set up
12:00 Potluck Lunch
1:00-3:30 No-host birding

Register HERE!

For any questions, please contact Karen Baker, karenbakerpc@gmail.com
Nov
13
Wed
2024
Field Trip to Merced National Wildlife Refuge 2024 @ Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Nov 13 @ 11:45 am – 5:30 pm

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Registration Link

Details Subject to Change.

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here

 

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

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 13 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 below) 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). 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, Black and Say’s Phoebes, White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows, American Pipits, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teals, Greater White-fronted Geese, Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese, American White Pelicans, Great and Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, American Coots, Black-necked Stilts, White-faced Ibis, Long-billed Dowitchers, Dunlin, Wilson’s Snipe, Least Sandpipers, Long-billed Curlews, Red-tailed Hawks, and Northern Harriers. Also possible are Cackling Geese, Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Bald Eagles, Kestrels, and Great-horned Owls. Both a Burrowing Owl 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 is required for this event.

Registration Link

Nov
16
Sat
2024
Elkhorn Slough, November 16, 2024 @ Elkhorn Slough
Nov 16 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit and Willet by Peter Nagayama

 

 

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

Register Here

Note: Payment is now a part of the registration process. 

When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:30 on the Private Chartered Boat (22 people)

Cost: $40 per person (NON-REFUNDABLE) Does not include gratuity for Naturalist.

 

 

HOW LONG?

Our tours take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

WHERE & WHEN

Please check in with your naturalist, 30 minutes prior to the departure time, at our Office/Gift Shop located at 7981 MOSS LANDING ROAD, STE.E., AT THE CROSSROAD OF SANDHOLDT RD. The naturalist on duty will get you checked in and tell you where to go from there. It’s a short, 1 minute to walk from our Gift Shop to our boat in the harbor.

 

PARKING
FREE PARKING is available on Moss Landing Rd., near our Office/Gift Shop at 7981 Moss Landing Rd. Ste E. As long as you park on the shoulder of the road, without blocking any entrances to the local businesses, parking will be free all day. Parking is also available in the Moss Landing Harbor lot at 7881 SANDHOLDT RD., MOSS LANDING, CA. The cost is $12.00, payable at the harbor office near the flag poles. Parking in the harbor lot is free with a handicap placard.

DO NOT ENTER “ELKHORN SLOUGH” INTO GOOGLE MAPS, THIS WILL DIRECT YOU AWAY FROM OUR LOCATION AND WE WILL NOT BE ABLE HOLD THE DEPARTURE IF YOU ARE LATE.

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING? -BE SURE TO CHECK THE WEATHER THE DAY OF YOUR TOUR -DRESS IN LAYERS, even on warm days it can get quite chilly on the water, be prepared so you stay warm and comfortable. -BINOCULARS, We do offer complimentary binoculars for our guests to use during their tour, but do bring your own if you have a pair. -We recommend comfortable, closed toed shoes. Please, no high heels. -Sunscreen -Blanket, for extra warmth or to cushion your seat -Camera -No food or drink on board please. Bottled water is ok.

 

Please keep in mind that there are NO restrooms on the boat, consuming lots of beverages before the tour is not recommended. There are public restrooms available at the Moss Landing Harbor parking lot, as well as at our Office/Gift Shop.

 

 

We look forward to showing you the wonders of Elkhorn Slough!

 

Elkhorn Slough Safari
www.elkhornslough.com
831-633-5555

 

 

Contact: Maureen Walsh
mewnew10@yahoo.com
(559) 706-4980

 

Checklist: binoculars, bird guide, water, layered clothing and sun protection.

 

Nov
21
Thu
2024
Field Trip to Kern National Wildlife Refuge 2024 @ Kern National Wildlife Refuge
Nov 21 @ 6:45 am – 3:00 pm

Kern National Wildlife Refuge

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Registration Link

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here

 

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

 

November 21, join trip leader Judy Johnson for an excursion to Kern National Wildlife Refuge for sightings of migratory waterfowl.
We will meet in the Walmart parking lot at Ashlan and Blackstone at 6:45am for a 7:00am start.
It will take us at least 2 hours to reach Kern NWR, and we will make a brief stop at the Corcoran Reservoir. Target birds include the usual winter duck species, with canvas backs and red heads likely. Good chance of seeing several grebe species, gallinules, and the usual wading birds. If we are lucky, we may see ferruginous hawks and peregrine falcons on the drive down, and possibly greater roadrunners.
Bring day packs, lunch, snacks, plenty of water, binoculars, sunscreen, and radios (walkie talkies) if you have them. Dress in layers. Hiking will be minimal, but wear comfortable walking shoes.
We will leave the refuge at 1:00pm, arriving in Fresno at around 3pm.

 

Registration is required for this event.

Registration Link

Nov
29
Fri
2024
#optoutside Opt Outside Bird Walk @ Friant Cove/Millerton Lake
Nov 29 @ 7:30 am – 1:30 pm

Opt Outside November 29, 2024

Registration is required for this event.

Registration Link

 

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

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On November 29, Fresno Audubon will sponsor the annual #optoutside Bird Walk as a fun alternative to Black Friday Christmas Shopping.
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We will meet in front of the Target at Riverpark Shopping Center at 7:45am and leave no later than 8am.
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Our first stop will be the parking lot at Friant Road and Highway 145, where the bridge goes over the San Joaquin River. In the past, this area has been good for waterfowl, woodpeckers, sparrows, and more. Then we will drive over to the Madera(West-camping) side of Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. Just inside the entrance kiosk(there is an entrance fee), we will stop to look for both Rock and Canyon Wrens, more sparrows, Say’s Phoebes, and other birds, as well as scan the reservoir for waterfowl and gulls. We will then go to the camping areas, looking for more sparrows, woodpeckers, hawks, phoebes, finches, and shrikes, among many other birds.
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Bring a lunch. Participants are responsible for carpool arrangements beforehand.
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For more information, contact Larry Parmeter at 559-288-3456 or at lanpar362@gmail.com.
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Even if you’re not able to join us, we hope that you are able to Opt Outside on Friday following Thanksgiving!

 

 

Dec
4
Wed
2024
Field Trip to River West Madera @ River West Madera
Dec 4 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Field Trip to River West Madera

Wednesday

December 4, 2024

REGISTRATION Link 

 

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

River West Madera

December 4, 2024 

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

 

Leaders: John McDaniel/George Folsom

(559) 779-7186/(559) 351-7192

mandomac@comcast.net /georgefolsom@icloud.com

 

Carpooling arrangements (unless Wildwood Nature Park is open—check with trip leaders):

 

Location: Target Parking Lot (see River Park Shopping Center map)

7600 N Blackstone

Time: 8:00 a.m.

 

Destination (see Golf Center Trailhead map for both locations):

Location: Intersection next to Valley Golf Center 

41445 Ave 9, Fresno, CA 93720

 

Alternate location if open (check with trip leaders):

 

Wildwood Native Park

Madera, California

 

Time: 8:15 a.m.

 

We will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Target parking area in River Park Shopping Center to carpool to our destination due to limited parking at the destination. We will proceed from Target to Valley Golf Center (which is south of and down the hill from Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera County). 

Directions from Fresno: Take Highway 41 north from Fresno to the first exit north of the San Joaquin River (Exit 138A). Turn right at the intersection and follow Cobb Ranch Road back toward Fresno until you get to the first intersection. Turn right and proceed under the Highway 41 bridges to the parking area just outside the golf course where we will assemble. Park along either side of the road or under the bridges. Do not park in the Golf Center parking area or in the posted no parking areas immediately to the south.

 

If the Wildwood Native Park is re-opened by the the time of the trip, we will instead rendezvous at Wildwood and avoid the carpooling arrangements. The route to Wildwood Park is the same as the Golf Center, except you turn left at the Avenue 9 intersection and proceed around the corner to the park entrance. See accompanying maps.

 

Weather and trail conditions permitting, the plan is to walk on Palm Avenue from the golf course, following the river downstream, first on the service road to Sycamore Island, then along the Riverfront Trail, ultimately emerging at a grouping of several ponds and a large lagoon just north of the river channel. The Riverfront Trail follows a berm next to the river and is somewhat narrow and uneven. For anyone not comfortable with it, the Sycamore Island service road can be followed instead. Total distance is about 3.5 miles. 

 

Although this is directly across the river from River West Open Space, be prepared for some different birds on the Madera County side, including black-crowned night heron, wigeon, gadwall, green-wing teal, cinnamon teal, phainopepla, wrens, and acorn, Nuttall’s and downy woodpeckers. Expect also to see the usual assortment of white-crowned, song and Lincoln sparrows, several flavor of egrets, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks,  On our spring walks we may see signs of nesting activity by the returning osprey and great-horned owls, and perhaps an appearance by a bald eagle. 

 

Bring suitable clothing (layers) and walking shoes (depending on the season, the trail may be sloppy in some areas), snacks, water, head covering, sunscreen, and binoculars. The ponds and lagoon will be quite amenable to spotting scopes, although they are more than a mile and a half from the assembly area. 

 

Leader: John McDaniel

Phone: (559) 779-7186

Email: mandomac@comcast.net

REGISTRATION Link 

Dec
7
Sat
2024
Saturday Field Trip – Merced Grasslands & Merced NWR
Dec 7 @ 6:45 am – 5:45 pm

Saturday Field Trip – Merced Grasslands & Merced NWR

Registration required for all FAS field trips.

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

Registration for this trip is here.

Event details subject to change.

Jeff Seay will lead this trip through the Merced Grasslands Important Bird Area finishing at Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at that Walmart parking lot at Ashlan and Blackstone at 6:45 am for a 7 am departure. The trip will cover the Madera County’s foothill Grasslands on the way to the Merced Wildlife Refuge. We expect to see wintering raptors and other birds of the low foothills and grasslands. We will mostly be driving and getting out of the car periodically with possible small walks. At the end of the trip we will enjoy the spectacle of sandhill cranes, snow and Ross’s geese, and other waterfowl. It will last most of the day, ending about 5:45 at the refuge.

 

Checklist: binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, radios, jackets, lunch/snacks, water, and insect repellent.

 

Registration for this trip is here.

 

Directions to the assembly point are here.

Trip leader: Jeff Seay, ‭(559) 960-0849‬, jeffseay@sbcglobal.net

 

Dec
11
Wed
2024
Merced Wildlife Refuge  (off Sandy Mush Rd) Location Change @ Merced Wildlife Refuge
Dec 11 @ 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

Audubon Field Trip to Merced Wildlife Refuge

Location changed from Eastman OR Hensley (TBD) due to lack of birds in this location.

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

Registration Link

Wednesday December 11, at 10:00

Meet at the first observation deck at the Merced Wildlife Refuge at 10 am.
DIRECTIONS FROM FRESNO:
MERCED NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
7430 W Sandy Mush Rd.
Merced, CA 95341
HWY 99 north, to HWY 152 West, to HWY 59 N/NE, to Sandy Mush road ( left turn). Follow Sandy Mush Road west to Merced Wildlife Refuge ( left turn into the refuge). Follow refuge road to first observation deck and parking area. Restrooms available at first and second observation deck areas.

We will drive the auto-tour route, viewing birds from each car as we drive to the second observation deck. At the second observation deck we will stop for lunch and discussion of what has been seen during the drive. After lunch we will walk the loop trail directly opposite the observation area. We will end the trip at approximately 3:30-4pm.

 

Please recall on the auto tour route persons are not permitted outside the vehicle ( walking or standing). Sandhill cranes, Northern Shovelers, Snow Geese, greater White-fronted geese are to be expected, as well as Red-tailed hawks. Many shore/ water birds such as Wilson’s Snipe, Long-billed Curlew, and Black-necked Stilts. Great Horned owls may be observed resting in the trees.

 

Registration Link

 

Dec
14
Sat
2024
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count 2024
Dec 14 all-day

Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count

Elegant Terns, Malibu Lagoon, by Rick Grijalva

Details Subject to Change.

 

On Saturday, December 14, 2024, 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/past 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/conservation/history-christmas-bird-count