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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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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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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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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Sep
25
Wed
2024
Clovis Botanical Gardens/ Cottonwood Park @ Clovis Botanical Gardens
Sep 25 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Clovis Botanical Gardens/ Cottonwood Park.

NOTE: The garden was closed at the beginning of September while they were working on the sewer/water lines for their new construction but according to their Instagram the garden reopened on Sept. 11. 

 

Registration is required for this event.

 

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. To view the form 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

On Wednesday, September 25, Fresno Audubon will visit the Clovis Botanical Gardens and adjacent Cottonwood Park. This area is always good to see many species of urban birds, including hummingbirds, woodpeckers, sparrows, towhees, and arriving wintering migrants. In addition, the Cottonwood Park pond has waterfowl, egrets, herons, comorants, and many other species, including occasional Ospreys and Bald Eagles.

 

A short walk along Dry Creek behind the Botanical Gardens is good for riparian birds, including migrant warblers.

 

Meet in the Botanical Gardens parking lot at Clovis Avenue and Alluvial at 8am. For more information, contact Larry Parmeter at 559-288-3456 or at lanpar362@gmail.com

 

All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. To view the form 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

Oct
2
Wed
2024
Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island Oct. 2024 @ Sycamore Island
Oct 2 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island 

Registration is required for this 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

FAS Release of Liability Form

FAS Release of Liability Form

 Registration link

 

Meeting location:  Sycamore Island (36.8590560, -119.8230324)

Meeting time: 8:00 AM

End time:  Noon, or you may stay and have lunch with the group 

Sycamore Island, part of the San Joaquin River Parkway, is along the San Joaquin River in Madera County downstream from River West open space. It offers a variety of habitats:  river, ponds, riparian, grasslands, and wetlands.  We can expect ducks, raptors, herons, egrets, owls. woodpeckers, finches, swallows, sparrows among many others. 

 

This is a large property and we will do a combination of driving and  walking.  Walking distance will be 1 to 2 miles but those who don’t care to walk can drive to most of the areas.  There are picnic shelters with tables for lunch and restrooms on the property. 

 

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 at 559.351.7192 or geofolsom@gmail.com

 

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

Oct
12
Sat
2024
Avocado Lake Bird Walk
Oct 12 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Avocado Lake Bird Walk

 

Explore Avocado Lake’s Hidden Treasures!

Registration is required for this event.

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

Registration closes 24 hours before the event or when full.

 

Registration link

 

Join us for a birding adventure at Avocado Lake, a lesser-known gem offering a diverse habitat of open waters, riparian zones along the Kings River, and oak woodlands. This scenic area is ideal for spotting a variety of species including fall migrants, woodpeckers, nuthatches, sparrows, and finches—keep an eye out for the elusive Lawrence’s Goldfinch! The lake itself may host early wintering waterfowl and the occasional Common Loon. Raptors and towhees are also frequent visitors to this vibrant birding spot.

 

We’ll gather at 7:45 a.m. at the Manchester Center (corner of Blackstone & Shields), with an 8 a.m. departure.

 

Be prepared for a rewarding day of birding, and don’t forget your essentials:

 

Checklist: Binoculars, field guide app(s), snacks, lunch, water, sunscreen, and hat.

 

Trip Leader: Rick Grijalva, 559-578-6168

Oct
23
Wed
2024
Birding at the Ruth Mckenzie Preserve @ Ruth Mckenzie Preserve
Oct 23 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Birding at the Ruth Mckenzie Preserve

 

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

Join FAS for birding at the Ruth Mckenzie Preserve.  The walk is initially fairly easy, along a dirt road that undulates along a stream.  After about a mile, the road crosses the stream, and the hiking becomes a bit steeper.  We may see enough birds along that mile that we won’t cross the creek.  Possible sightings are Acorn Woodpeckers, Lewis Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Red-Tailed Hawk, Bluebirds, and a nesting pair of Golden Eagles.

 

Meet at the parking lot at the Sportsman’s Warehouse on Friant Road at 8:00.

 

 

Participants should bring snacks, lunch (if desired), water, binoculars, and a hat.  Wear sturdy shoes.  Registration is required for this event.  If you have questions, reach out to either trip leader.

Contact:

Wes Beal

(559) 250-2988

email: beal4farms@gmail.com

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

Oct
26
Sat
2024
Saturday Bird Walk at Lost Lake Oct. 2024 @ Lost Lake
Oct 26 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Lost Lake Audubon Field Trip Oct. 26

Registration is required for this event.

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

Registration closes 24 hours before the event or when full.

 

Registration link

 

Location: Lost Lake , Fresno County Park

                  Lost Lake Rd, Friant, CA 93626

Date and Meeting time: 8:00 am, Oct. 26th

Meeting location in park: Audubon Trailhead at the west end (down stream end) of the park. There is a small parking area at the trailhead, and a larger one a few hundred yards further into the park.

 

Duration of walk: 8:00 am – 11 am

 

Special instructions: the park entrance fee is usually enforced. Fee is $5. Please follow instructions at the entry kiosk if there is no attendant at the kiosk. 

 

What to bring: Binoculars, check weather report for comfortable clothing, (this is the month of March, almost any weather is possible), walking shoes, sunscreen / hat, water, snacks ( or lunch if staying beyond noon), free downloads of Audubon and/or Merlin Apps are very useful, western bird identification field guides are also useful. Be advised , there may be insects such as mosquitos, gnats etc. 

 

Walk Description: walking on mostly flat park grass, or on paved park road, from west ( at the trailhead) to east ( toward Friant Dam and the park campground). We will bird river, river lined grass/ shrub and oak tree habitat, and on the upper road the grassland leading into the park, using binoculars but also using the Merlin Sound ID app as an enhanced identification tool. In the park, there are picnic benches for rest stops, and the restrooms are usually open.

 

Possible birds: Egrets (several species), Cedar Waxwing, Hawks (several species) Varied Thrush, Bald Eagle,  Common Merganser , Acorn Woodpecker, Canada Goose, Ring- necked Duck, Anna’s Hummingbird, Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, Phainopepla, Black Phoebe, and many others.

 

Other possible sightings…Coyotes, Bobcats…on the other side of the river.

Registration is required for this walk.

Hard Rain or flooding cancels this walk.

Trip Leader: Kevin Enns-Rempel

Contact information

Email: kevin.enns.rempel@gmail.com

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

Oct
30
Wed
2024
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 30 @ 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam

 

Registration is required for this event.

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

Registration Link

Join FAS for birding along the Kings River. The trail begins across from the parking lot on the south side of the bridge just below Pine Flat Dam. The trail is basically an easy walk of approximately a mile and a quarter each way, but there is some uneven terrain and river rocks create a cobblestone surface in parts. Some of our target species include Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, Oak Titmouse, Acorn Woodpecker,  California Quail,  White-Breasted Nuthatch and Osprey.

 

Meet in the parking lot at the south side of the bridge. If you want to look for directions from the eBird map, the Raptor Trail is just across the river from the North Riverside Access Park eBird Hotspot. GPS Coordinates 36.8298592686927, -119.33621274737327.

 

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 the trip leader.

Contact:

Susan Heidebrecht

(559) 313-1777

email: sunheidebrecht@comcast.net

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

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
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