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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Introduction to Birding Saturday Dec. 21, 2024 9:00 am
Introduction to Birding Saturday Dec. 21, 2024 @ River Center
Dec 21 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Introduction to Birding Saturday Dec. 21, 2024 @ River Center
Introduction to Birding at the River Center 11605 Old Friant Rd Fresno, CA 93730     Registration link  All registrants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code below or the form can also be found here Description...
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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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FAS Board Meeting 11:00 am
FAS Board Meeting @ Zoom meeting
Dec 29 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Contact admin@fresnoaudubon.org for login credentials
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Nov
29
Wed
2023
Wednesday Walk – Merced NWR @ MNWR
Nov 29 @ 11:45 am – 8:00 pm

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Nov. 29, 2023

 

Registration required: Please register here.

 

 

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 29 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) 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).

Map to McDonald’s

Map to MNWR

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, phoebes, various sparrows, American pipits, numerous species of ducks and geese, American white pelicans, wading birds and shore birds, egrets, American coots, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers and other hawks. Also possible are bald eagles, great-horned owls, 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 required: Please register here.

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

Trip Leader: Judy Johnson  (559)977-2787

 

Dec
2
Sat
2023
Saturday Bird Walk at Sumner-Peck Ranch @ Sumner-Peck Ranch
Dec 2 @ 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Saturday 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.  

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

Dec
6
Wed
2023
Wednesday Walk – Pinnacles National Park @ Pinnacles National Park
Dec 6 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

California Condor

California Condor

 

Please register for the trip here so we know how many to expect.

 

Pinnacles National Park Walk

Join George Folsom for a trip to Pinnacles National Park; there’s good chance you will see California Condors. We will meet in the parking lot at the Target Store located in the Marketplace at El Paseo (Herndon and Golden State Blvd.) at 7:00 AM and carpool to the park. The trip will take 2.5 hours of drive time, so we will stop along the way to bird and stretch our legs.  We will meet at the Camp Ground Store parking lot in the Park.  For those who choose to spend the night near the Park, we should arrive about 9:30 AM depending on traffic.  Please note that this is a national park, and thus a fee is charged.  Bring your National Park Pass, if you have one.  This will be a long day trip, returning around 5 pm, so plan accordingly.

 

 

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

 

 

The Fresno Target Store meeting location is here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fdh27zLZKgfoGzye6?g_st=ic

 

 

The Panicles National Park Campground Store meeting location is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nUWrCib7VrBW76kEA?g_st=ic

 

 

 

Please register for the trip here so we know how many to expect.

 

Dec
13
Wed
2023
Wednesday Bird Walk at Jensen River Ranch @ Jensen River Ranch
Dec 13 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Wednesday Bird Walk at Jensen River Ranch

Registration is required for this event.

 

Register Here

 

Join trip leader Wes Beal to explore Jensen River Ranch. We will meet at 8:00 a.m. the Art of Life Healing Garden next to the north east parking lot in Woodward Park.

 

 

From there we will walk down the Tom MacMichael Senior Trail to the San Joaquin River and along its bank upstream until we meet the Flood Control District’s ditch. We will continue along the MacMichael Trail following the ditch back toward the bluff, and circle back to the parking area. We hope to see many of our usual suspects including scrub jays, black phoebes, house finches, lesser goldfinches, red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, turkey vultures, American kestrel, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants and great egrets. Some of the fall returnees may show up as well, including cedar waxwing, northern flickers, various and sundry sparrows as well as migrating waterfowl.

 

Depending on time and interest, we may walk over to the large pond near the Park entrance, which should be populated with Canada geese, mallards, American coots, and pied-billed grebes, among others.

 

The $5.00 City entrance fee applies if you park in Woodward Park. Alternative parking may be available in the Fort Washington Shopping Center.

 

Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader Wes Beal at (559) 250-2988 or beal4farms@gmail.com

Register Here

Dec
17
Sun
2023
Introduction to Birding Sunday December 17, 2023 @ River Center
Dec 17 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Introduction to Birding at the River Center

11605 Old Friant Rd
Fresno, CA 93730

 

Moved to Sunday because of conflict with Christmas Bird Count.

 

Please register for the December 17 event here.

 

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!
BegBirdHO
QR Code for Beginning Birding Handout.
Rain cancels this event.
Class is held from 9 AM -12 PM on the third Saturday of each month from October through May.

Please register for the December 17 event here.

 

Dec
20
Wed
2023
Evening Owl Walk at Jensen River Ranch EVENT FULL @ Jensen River Ranch
Dec 20 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Event is full!

Evening Owl Walk at Jensen River Ranch

 

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

Join FAS for an evening Owl Walk on the Jensen Trail.  We plan to start close to sunset to be on the Jensen Trail at dusk when the Great Horned owls and Barn owls come out to hunt. The outing should take about 1 1/2 hours.  We will meet at 4:00 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the Art of Life Healing Garden in Woodward Park.

 

 

The $5.00 City entrance fee applies if you park in Woodward Park. Alternative parking may be available in the Fort Washington Shopping Center.

 

Registration is required for this event. Any questions, please contact trip leader Larry Cusick at (559) 313-1777, larrywcusick@gmail.com.

Register Here

Dec
23
Sat
2023
Saturday Bird Walk at Lost Lake/Fin Trail @ Lost Lake
Dec 23 @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Lost Lake Audubon Field Trip 

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

Location: Lost Lake , Fresno County Park

                  Lost Lake Rd, Friant, CA 93626

Date and Meeting time

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.

TBD, visit to FINS  ( Friant Interactive Nature Site, .2 miles east of Lost Lake Park) after birding Lost Lake location.

 

 

Duration of walk: 8:30 am – 12 pm

 

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,  (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.

 

Hard Rain or flooding cancels this walk.

Trip Leader: Lynda Schafhauser

Contact information: cell for voicemail or text:  559-377-8427

Email: rufusradar@att.net

Registration is required for this walk.

Register Here

Dec
31
Sun
2023
FAS Board Meeting @ Zoom meeting
Dec 31 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Contact admin@fresnoaudubon.org for login credentials

Jan
13
Sat
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
Jan 13 @ 8:40 am – 1:40 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. 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, 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:

Maureen Walsh

(559) 706-4980

email: mewnew10@yahoo.com

 

Register Here

Jan
20
Sat
2024
Introduction to Birding Saturday January 20, 2024 @ River Center
Jan 20 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Introduction to Birding at the River Center

11605 Old Friant Rd
Fresno, CA 93730

 

 

Please register for the January 20 event here.

 

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!
BegBirdHO
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.

Please register for the January 20 event here.