| 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 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 ... | 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 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... | |||||
| 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 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... | ||||||
| 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 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... | ||||||
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
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
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
Registration Link
Wednesday December 11, at 10:00
Meet at the first observation deck at the Merced Wildlife Refuge at 10 am.
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
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
FAS Release of Liability Form
Join Fresno Audubon for a bird hike at River West Open Space on Saturday December 28. 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 George Folsom. He can be reached at georgefolsom@icloud.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!
Lake Yosemite in Merced
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
Pixley NWR Field Trip
Trip limited to 8 registrants
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
Date: January 9, 2025
Trip Leaders: Susan Heidebrecht & Lowell Young
Meeting time: 8:30 AM
Meeting location: Pixley National Wildlife Refuge at 8:30
We will meet in the parking lot at the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge at 8:30 AM. We will form carpools immediately, enter the refuge and lock the gate behind us. After that point, those who are late will be out of luck. But, they will be able to bird along the path to the viewing platform and see some of the refuge from there.
Duration of Field trip: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Weather: We will go rain or shine. So, be prepared for any weather.
We will have walkie-talkies available.
Location: Pixley National Wildlife Refuge: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fRTKEtGJjkdA9cRBA
What to bring: Binoculars, clothing, (this is the month of January, almost any weather is possible), walking shoes, sunscreen / hat, water, snacks and lunch, 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.
Walking will be limited and will be on dirt roads. Driving will be on dirt and/or graveled roads. Rest rooms are available in the parking area of the Refuge.
Using the Merlin Sound ID app as an enhanced identification tool.
Possible birds: Over 100 bird on the wildlife refuge in January. Approximately 300 acres (120 ha) of managed wetlands provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds.
Other possible sightings…Threatened and endangered species include the San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Tipton kangaroo rat, and the vernal pool fairy shrimp.
Contact:
Lowell Young
(209) 617-9921
yosemite.birder@gmail.com
Susan Heidebrecht
(559) 313-1777
email: sunheidebrecht@comcast.net
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
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Field Trip to River West Open Space
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
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
Join Fresno Audubon for a bird hike at River West Open Space on Wednesday, January 22. We will meet at 9am as it is frequently foggy in the morning in the river bottom.
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 Susan Estep. She can be reached at (402)212-1215 or sbse820@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 porta-potties available but no fresh water.
O’Neill Forebay
Registration Required.
Link to Registration.
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
On Saturday, January 25, Fresno Audubon Society will travel to O’Neill Forebay, west of Los Banos and part of the San Luis reservoir complex. We will meet in front of the Target store at El Paseo Shopping Center, off Herndon near Highway 99, at 7:30am, and go from there. Participants are responsible for arranging carpool rides before the trip.
Our main objective will be the Medeiros Recreation Area west of Los Banos and off Highway 152, on the south shore of the forebay. There, we will look for waterfowl, including scaup, merganzers, Canvasbacks, Ruddy Ducks, grebes, and possibly Loons. This is also a good place for several species of hawks and eagles, including Golden and Bald. We have also seen wintering Swainson’s Hawks here. The riparian areas around the forebay have warblers, towhees, several species of sparrows, and goldfinches, among many other birds. An entrance fee is required for the Madeiros Recreation Area.
If time permits, we will drive to the south side of Highway 152, on the road to Basalt Campground(which is currently closed). In the past, this has been a good site for warblers, shrikes, more raptors, and even Cassin’s Kingbirds. In addition, elk are often seen in this area. Dress warmly and bring 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.
Wednesday Bird Walk
Ball Ranch
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
Ball Ranch meeting location (36.9361267, -119.7309237)
Green Heron by Clayton Dahlen
San Luis NWR
Saturday Feb. 1, 2025
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 is required for all participants.
NOTES from trip leader John Fulton
Feb 1, 2025: We will meet at the Visitors’ Center (VC) parking lot on Wolfsen Rd. The VC and office is closed on weekends now; scheduled hours changed recently to exclude weekends, but there are vault toilets that are open so that will be our meeting place. There is the trail and boardwalk right there, for folks to explore, if they arrive early. I am quick to change plans, to adapt to more current information so this will only be a tentative plan. We will scope the elk enclosure from the VC to see if the antlers have started to drop, The biggest racks drop first so on Feb 1st, I think we might see a bull with only one side, having dropped the other. Harems may no longer be defended.
From there we will be listening for Sandhill Cranes as we make our way north, right through the heart of the original San Luis NWR parcel, acquired in about 1967, on Historic Dickenson Ferry Rd. That was about the time the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) helped build the levee to keep the river off of the flood plain so cows in the wetlands could keep their feet dry. (Only partially kidding). With the help of the COE a Levee District was formed to keep the water off the refuge; the refuge that was established at that same time to put water back onto those same wetlands and the flood plain. The Levee District has a single mission: to defeat the Refuge and keep the refuge dry. After over 50 years, the levee is still there on the refuge and the public is not allowed to drive on it.
So as we drive towards the old ferry landing we will be heading towards the levee, the one that we cannot drive on. We will have to turn right, onto the Waterfowl Tour Route, and get a chance to really appreciate the job that the refuge staff does to manage wetlands despite the COE and the Levee District’s mandated mission.
On the drive northward we will hope for upland grassland species like Meadowlarks and several sparrow species. While rare, this stretch of upland north of the elk enclosure has been where Short-eared Owls, Horned Larks and White-tailed Kites have been seen a few times over the years.
In the Waterfowl Tour Route’s wetlands, interspersed within the uplands, we should see waterfowl—of course, but also Ibis, Cranes, Pied-billed Grebes and waders. As we approach the southern edge of the refuge we will turn left and head east to the Sousa Marsh. If there are swans in the area, and there should be at this time of year in early February, Sousa Marsh is the place to see them. There is a mile hike in riparian forest at the Sousa Marsh and its observation platform. Then it is back to the VC for snacks or a lunch break. Depending upon time and the “will-of-the-people,” we can decide on an afternoon add-on destination. If folks want to, and depending on recent scouting reports, we can visit West Bear Creek, the Forebay, or Merced NWR, or one of the many other birdy spots in the area.
Checklist: binoculars, scope, field guide, snacks, lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, radios
Contact:
Lowell Young
(209) 617-9921
yosemite.birder@gmail.com
Registration is required for all participants.