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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Nov
24
Wed
2021
Field Trip to Lost Lake Rec Area @ Lost Lake Recreation Area, Audubon Nature Trail
Nov 24 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join FAS on Wednesday, November 24 as we go birding at Lost Lake Rec Area (16385 N. Friant, Friant, CA 93626). Lost Lake is the number one hot spot in Fresno County. Our target species include Orange-crowned Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Duck, Prairie Falcon, Red-breasted Sapsucker and many more. There is a $5 park entry fee, which is paid at the kiosk on the drive in. We will be meeting at 8:00 in the parking lot at the south end of the park (at the (Audubon Trailhead). Participants should bring snacks, lunch (if desired), water, hat, sunscreen, and binoculars, and should dress in layers. We will likely be wrapping up at noon. FAS is asking that participants be vaccinated and wear masks in addition to following social distancing protocols. Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader Robert Snow at rsnow@fresnoaudubon.org or (650) 483-2347. Please register here.

Everyone must do their own risk assessment before participating, but we believe risks to be very low if we follow state and CDC guidelines. All attendees must sign our liability waiver, and registration is required. You can register here. By registering you will be agreeing to our liability waiver and will not need to sign again onsite.

We will operate the event according to state and county guidelines: Masks must be warn in public except when outdoors and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distance from others not in their household. You must have a face covering with you at all times and must put it on if you are within 6 feet of others who are not in your household.

We will meet at the Audubon Nature Trailhead at the south end of the park. Please join us for a wonderful morning of group birding!

Registration: Please register for the field trip here.

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

Trip leader: Robert Snow at (650) 483-2347 or rsnow@fresnoaudubon.org.

Dec
8
Wed
2021
Field Trip to Merced National Wildlife Refuge @ Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Dec 8 @ 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm

With winter migrants filling local refuges and putting on a tremendous show, now is a wonderful time to bird the Central Valley. Join Fresno Audubon on Wednesday, December 8th for a tour of the Merced National Wildlife Refuge. We will meet at the first parking lot of the refuge, near the bathrooms and the first observation deck, at 1:00pm. 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 gold-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, lesser 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 female vermillion flycatcher have recently been seen at the refuge as well.
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. We ask that participants be vaccinated, wear masks, and adhere to social distancing protocols. Registration is required for this event.

Please register here.

Dec
18
Sat
2021
Field Trip to Roeding Park @ Roeding Park (meet at the pond near Storyland)
Dec 18 @ 7:30 am – 12:30 pm

Field Trip to Roeding Park, Saturday, December 18, 2021

Please join Fresno Audubon as we bird Roeding Park on Saturday, December 18. Roeding Park is an easy-to-get-to local destination that has quite a variety of bird life year round. While the heron rookery may not be active right now, there is still plenty to see and hear, including many year round and winter residents that inhabit the ponds and the many trees found around the park. Some of our target species for the outing include Red-shouldered Hawk, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Orange-crowned Warbler. Roeding Park is located at 890 W. Belmont Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728. There is a $5 per vehicle entry fee that is paid at the kiosk on the way in. We will meet at the pond by Storyland at 7:30 AM (36.752873, -119.825141). The outing will last until approximately 12:00 or 12:30 PM. Participants should bring snacks, water, lunch (if desired), hat, and binoculars, and should dress in layers. We ask that participants be vaccinated, wear masks, and practice social distancing protocols. Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader Rachel Clark at tanagergirl@gmail.com or 515-357-0122. Please register here.

Everyone must do their own risk assessment before participating, but we believe risks to be very low if we follow state and CDC guidelines. By registering you will be agreeing to our liability waiver and will not need to sign again onsite.

We will operate the event according to state and county guidelines: Masks must be warn in public except when outdoors and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distance from others not in their household. You must have a face covering with you at all times and must put it on if you are within 6 feet of others who are not in your household

Feb
9
Wed
2022
Field Trip to River West Open Space @ River West Open Space
Feb 9 @ 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Field Trip to River West Open Space, Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Register here!

Join Fresno Audubon for a bird hike at River West Open Space on Wednesday, February 9. 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. FAS is asking that participants be vaccinated and wear masks in addition to following social distancing protocols. 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 no restrooms or water available so come prepared!

Register here!

Feb
19
Sat
2022
Field Trip to Wildwood Native Park @ Wildwood Native Park
Feb 19 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Field Trip to Wildwood Native Park, Saturday, February 19, 2022

Please register here.

Join FAS on Saturday, February 19 as we take part in the 2022 Great Backyard Bird Count by birding at Wildwood Native Park and the surrounding areas. Wildwood Native Park is located in Madera County, just north of Fresno, right off of the 41: https://goo.gl/maps/SKW27jQZhu7kCWpr6  Our target species include Red-shouldered Hawk, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Hermit Thrush, Lesser Goldfinch, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and many more! We will be meeting at 8:00 AM in the parking lot. Participants should bring snacks, lunch (if desired), water, hat, sunscreen, and binoculars, and should dress in layers. We will likely be wrapping up between noon and 1:00 PM. FAS is requiring that participants be vaccinated and wear masks in addition to following social distancing protocols. Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader Rachel Clark at tanagergirl@gmail.com or 515-357-0122. Please register here.

For anyone curious about the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), it is a four day event held every February in which birders everywhere of all skill levels are encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes counting birds and submit an eBird list. The 2022 GBBC will run from February 18-21. More information can be found at this link: https://www.birdcount.org/participate/

Mar
9
Wed
2022
The Raptor Trail Field Trip on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam @ The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam
Mar 9 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

 

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.  See map here: https://goo.gl/maps/WGfg5aFDtSBFFBD29. The trail is an easy walk of approximately a mile and a quarter each way, but be aware there is some uneven terrain and river rocks create a cobblestone surface in parts.  Some of our target species include Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, 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. FAS is requiring that participants be vaccinated and wear masks when social distancing is not possible. Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader John McDaniel at (559) 779-7186 or email mandomac@comcast.net.

Register Here

Mar
19
Sat
2022
Clovis Botanical Gardens: Dry Creek Park and Cottonwood Park Field Trips @ Clovis Botanical Gardens
Mar 19 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Clovis Botanical Garden: Dry Creek Park and Cottonwood Park

Separate registration is required for either walk.

Register for 9:00 walk

Register for 10:30 walk

 

FAS will be hosting two birding walks on Saturday March 19, 2022 during the Spring Plant Sale at the Clovis Botanical Gardens.  We will bird the Dry Creek Park area next to the Clovis Botanical Gardens as well as the ponding basin across the street in Cottonwood Park. 

 

These will be short 1-1 ½ hour walks.  The 9:00 am walk will be led by Susan Heidebrecht and the 10:30 am walk will be led by Judy Johnson.  

 

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

 

You can also check out the Spring Plant Sale at the Clovis Botanical Gardens either before or after the bird walk.  

 

We will meet for the walks at the Audubon table by the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. FAS is requiring that participants be vaccinated and wear masks when social distancing is not possible.

 

Separate registration is required for each walk.

Register for 9:00 walk

Register for 10:30 walk

Contact Info:

9:00 Walk- Susan Heidebrecht sunheidebrecht@comcast.net (559) 313-1776

10:30 Walk- Judy Johnson jajohn1@comcast.net (559) 977-2787

Apr
9
Sat
2022
Saturday Field Trip to Fresno/Clovis Wastewater Treatment Plant @ Fresno/Clovis Wastewater Treatment Plant
Apr 9 @ 7:45 am – 1:00 pm
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Marbled Godwit by Gary Woods

On Saturday 9 April 2022 we will be visiting the Fresno Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP). Logistics of entry require that names be submitted in advance to the plant security personnel. Please register for the event using your name as it appears on your Government-issued ID no later than Thursday 7 April. You must bring that ID with you to be allowed entry. By registering to attend this event you are binding yourself to the terms of Fresno Audubon Society’s Liability Waiver. The liability waiver can be found here: https://fresnoaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/FAS-Waiver.pdf
The group will meet at the Walmart parking lot at the corner of Ashlan and Blackstone at 7:45 am for an 8:00 am departure to the WTP. Secondary meeting point is at the facility, 5607 W Jensen Ave, Fresno, CA 93706 at 8:15 am. See maps below.
With migration beginning we expect to see plenty of shorebirds and other migrants and perhaps Peregrine Falcons. After birding the ponds we will move to Kearney Park for lunch and a chance at Yellow-billed Magpies.
Checklist: ID, binoculars, bird guide, water, sun protection and lunch.
Leader: Robert Snow, rsnow@fresnoaudubon.org, (650) 483-2347

Fresno Meeting Point is Walmart parking lot, see map above.

Field trip location is 5607 W Jensen Ave, Fresno, CA 93706. See map above.

Apr
13
Wed
2022
Wednesday Bird Walk at Sumner-Peck Ranch @ Sumner-Peck Ranch
Apr 13 @ 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Wednesday Bird Walk at Sumner-Peck Ranch

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

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.  Recently, at least 10 Lewis woodpeckers were spotted in the area.  

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

Register Here

Apr
23
Sat
2022
Earth Day Birding at Roeding Park @ Roeding Park (meet in parking in front of zoo)
Apr 23 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Earth Day Birding at Roeding Park

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

Celebrate Earth Day with trip leaders Maureen Walsh and Wes Beal birding at Roeding Park.  We will start at Lake Washington where we will see Wood ducks among other waterfowl in the lake and see the Cattle egret, Black-crowned night herons, and Double-crested cormorants in the rookery on the island. There are hundreds of birds nesting in the rookery.  Then we will walk other areas of the park to see a variety of woodpeckers, raptors, warblers, etc.  

We will meet at the parking lot in front of the zoo, across from Lake Washington.  There is a $5.00 entry fee to the park and a new automated parking system.  

If you wish to bring lunch, there are plenty of picnic tables available for eating and calculating our bird count.  

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 Maureen Walsh at mewnew10@yahoo.com or (559) 706-4980.

Register Here