EVENT CALENDAR - Fresno Audubon Society

Register for this walk here

Feb 10 @ 7:45 am – 4:00 pm

Saturday Feb. 10, 2024

Join a tour of one of the great remnants of the historically bountiful wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway located in the Bear Creek, Salt Slough, and San Joaquin River floodplain. It hosts a myriad of tree-lined channels, wetlands and native grasslands. There is a good chance of seeing Tundra Swans, several species of geese, numerous species of ducks, raptors, shorebirds, sparrows and many other wetland and grassland species. Along the way we will keep an eye out for the native Tule Elk that once numbered in the millions in the Central Valley. We will stop at the visitors center and view the wildlife and history exhibits before starting the auto-loop drive. This is an all day trip so plan accordingly.

We will meet at Target near Herndon and highway 99 at 7:45 am for an 8:00 am departure.

Checklist: binoculars, scope, field guide, snacks, lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, radios

Register for this walk here

Categories: Field Trips

Field Trip to River West Open Space @ River West Open Space

Feb 14 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Field Trip to River West Open Space, Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Join Fresno Audubon for a bird hike at River West Open Space on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. We will meet at River View Dr and W Bluff Ave at 8 a.m.

This is a rich area with many target species. We can expect to see a wide variety of ducks, including Goldeneye, Mergansers, and Bufflehead. There are many resident raptors – including Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, and occasional Osprey and Bald Eagle sightings. There are many songbirds waiting to be discovered as well – sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Anna’s Hummingbirds, and Loggerhead Shrikes. It is not unusual to log more than 40 species.

Participants should bring snacks, water, hat, sunscreen, and binoculars, and should dress in layers. There really isn’t anywhere to eat lunch at this property; we will likely be wrapping up by 12:30. Registration is required for this event.

The trip leader is Wes Beal. He can be reached at beal4farms@gmail.com if you have any questions. There is plenty of on street parking available on River View Dr and W Bluff Ave. It is about a 3-mile loop of flat walking. There are no restrooms or water available so come prepared!

Categories: Field Trips

Introduction to Birding Saturday February 17, 2024 @ River Center

Feb 17 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Link to Beginning Birding Handout

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!

QR Code for Beginning Birding Handout.

Heavy rain cancels this event.

Class is held from 9 AM -12 PM on the third Saturday of each month from October through May.

Categories: Birding Classes

Mendota Wildlife Area Feb 24, 2024 @ Mendota Wildlife Area

Feb 24 @ 7:30 am – 12:00 pm

Registration Required.

Link to Registration.

Join us for an exciting field trip on Saturday, February 24, 2024! We will meet near the self registration booth at 7:30, just south of Highway 180.

From there we’ll take the dirt trail that flows along the Fresno Slough. The trail is relatively flat but may be uneven and muddy in some areas. Walk should end around noon.

We expect to observe various species of waterfowl, songbirds, woodpeckers, as well as raptors. Target species include American Bittern, Clark’s Grebe, Marsh Wren, Sora, Virginia Rail, White-tailed Kite, and Great Horned Owl.

To ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience, please bring snacks, water, a hat, binoculars (if you need loaners, contact Rick). Dress in layers to prepare for chilly morning temperatures.

Registration is required for this event. To secure your spot and receive any additional details, please complete the registration process.

If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to the trip leader, Rick Grijalva at rickgrijalva2@gmail.com or 559-578-6168.

Checklist: binoculars, scope, field guide, snacks, lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, radios

Registration Required.

Link to Registration.

Categories: Field Trips

Field Trip to River West Madera @ River West Madera

Mar 6 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Wednesday

March 6, 2024

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 San Joaquin River downstream toward Sycamore Island. Although the river is also accessible from Wildwood Native Park, we will start from the Golf Center as the status of the Park is uncertain at this time.

We plan to take Palm Avenue south toward the river from the golf course, past the pipe gate, then 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 road can be followed instead. Total distance is about 3.5 miles.

We hope to see a variety of waterfowl, raptors, swallows, sparrows, kinglets, bluebirds, meadowlark and warblers. We will be on special lookout for nesting activity, as this has been an active area for breeding osprey, red-tailed hawks, and great-horned owls in recent years.

Bring suitable clothing (layers) and walking shoes, 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.

Directions: 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.

Leader: John McDaniel

Phone: (559) 779-7186

Email: mandomac@comcast.net

Categories: Field Trips

Elkhorn Slough, March 9, 2024 (Event is full) @ Elkhorn Slough

Mar 9 @ 1:15 pm – 4:15 pm

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

If you would like to be placed on a waiting list, please send an email to admin@fresnoaudubon.org with the subject line- Elkhorn Waiting List.

When: Saturday, March 9, 2024
Time: 1:15 on the Private Chartered Boat (22 people)

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

Please Note: Registration Closes February 15, 2024

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.

Categories: Field Trips

Introduction to Birding Saturday March 16, 2024 @ River Center

Mar 16 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Link to Beginning Birding Handout

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!

QR Code for Beginning Birding Handout.

Heavy rain cancels this event.

Class is held from 9 AM -12 PM on the third Saturday of each month from October through May.

Categories: Birding Classes

Clovis Botanical Gardens: Dry Creek Park and Cottonwood Park March 2024 @ Clovis Botanical Gardens

Mar 23 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Clovis Botanical Garden: Dry Creek Park and Cottonwood Park

Register Here

The Fresno Audubon Society will be hosting a Bird Walk on Saturday March 23, at the Clovis Botanical Gardens. The walk will include the Botanical Gardens, Dry Creek Park as well as Cottonwood Park and ponding basin.

The walk will be about 1-1/2 hours and will be led by Susan Heidebrecht.

We expect to see a good variety of birds including warblers, bushtits, raptors and waterfowl.

We will meet for the walk at the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

Registration is required.

Register Here

Contact Info:

Susan Heidebrecht sunheidebrecht@comcast.net (559) 313-1776

Categories: Field Trips

Lake Yosemite in Merced March 27, 2024 Updated @ Lake Yosemite