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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Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count 2024
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count 2024
Dec 14 all-day
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count 2024
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count Details Subject to Change.   On Saturday, December 14, 2024, Fresno Audubon will be hosting the annual Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count, which covers sections of both Fresno and Madera Counties. Participants will be assigned to particular sections, and will...
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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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Oct
11
Wed
2023
Field Trip to River West Madera @ River West Madera
Oct 11 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Field Trip to River West Madera

Wednesday

October 11, 2023

Register here!

 

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.

 

Although this is directly across the river from River West Open Space, be prepared for some different birds on the Madera County side. We will be looking especially for our some of our early returning winter friends, including common merganser, white-crowned sparrows, black-crowned night heron, white-throated swift, northern flickers, phainopepla, Say’s phoebes, ruby-crowned kinglets, yellow-rumped warblers, and black-throated gray warblers.
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

Register here!

Oct
14
Sat
2023
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 14 @ 7:45 am – 12:45 pm

The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

UPDATED MEETING TIME & PLACE

We will be meeting at 7:45 for an 8:00 departure at the Walmart parking lot at the SE corner of Blackstone and Ashlan for preliminary carpooling.

 

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 the expected target species include Bald eagles, golden eagles, osprey, nuthatches, woodpeckers and oak titmice.

 

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 either trip leader.

Contact:

Susan Heidebrecht #(559) 313-1776 sunheidebrecht@comcast.net
Larry Cusick  #(559) 313-1777   cusicks@comcast.net

 

Register Here

Oct
25
Wed
2023
Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island @ Sycamore Island
Oct 25 @ 8:45 am – 1:00 pm

Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island 

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

 

Meeting location:  Sycamore Island (36.8590560, -119.8230324)

Meeting time: 8:45 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 559-435-9374 or geofolsom@gmail.com

Register Here

Nov
4
Sat
2023
Yokohl Valley: Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 @ Yokohl Valley
Nov 4 @ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

 

Yokohl Valley

November 4, 2023

Register here

 

We will meet at the Ashlan/Blackstone WalMart at 8:30am for a quick departure. From there we will drive through Visalia to Yokohl Drive, about 12 miles east of Visalia, and start birding at the intersection of Highway 198 and Yokohl Drive. The trip will then follow Yokohl Drive up into the foothills, perhaps as far as the Bear Creek Fire Station. We will then retrace our path back to Fresno.
Plan for a full day of birding. Bring food and water, since there will be no opportunities to purchase anything after reaching Yokohl Drive. Since this trip will involve lots of driving and stopping along the road, participants are encouraged to carpool as much as possible. The fewer the cars, the easier it will be for the group to stop.
Among many other more common species, we stand a good chance of finding Greater Roadrunner, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Vesper Sparrow, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow on this trip.

 

Contact Kevin Enns-Rempel (559-313-4546) for more information.

 

Register here

 

 

Nov
8
Wed
2023
Wednesday Walk – Millerton Lake (Madera West Side) @ Millerton Lake (Madera Side)
Nov 8 @ 8:00 am – 1:15 pm

Registration Required.

Link to Registration.

 

The Wednesday Walk on November 8 will be to the Madera(west) side of Millerton Lake and its campgrounds. We will meet at the Target parking lot at Riverpark at 8am and go from there. People are responsible for arranging carpools and rides in advance.

Our first stop will be the Highway 145 bridge at Friant and the Millerton forebay. We will look for waterfowl and wading birds, among other species.
Then we will head to the west side of Millerton Lake. We will first stop just inside the entrance kiosk and look for Rock Wrens and thrashers along the rocky shore. Then we will head to the parking area with the trailer facilities. The campgrounds in and around that area are good for raptors, sparrows, thrushes, towhees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, finches, and possible roadrunners.
Finally, we will go to the end of the road and the boat ramp area for more waterfowl, grebes, and possible loons. The weather will probably have turned cooler by then, so bring warm clothing and 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.

 

Nov
24
Fri
2023
#optoutside Opt Outside Bird Walk @ Friant Cove/Millerton Lake
Nov 24 @ 7:30 am – 1:30 pm

Opt Outside November 24, 2023

Please register here.

Thanksgiving this year is on Thursday, November 23, and the day after is Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. Instead of heading to the stores and braving the hordes of shoppers on Friday November, 24, please join Fresno Audubon for our #OptOutside event in and around the Friant area! We will be meeting at 7:30 AM at Friant Cove at the intersection of Millerton Road and North Fork Road (36.991123, -119.711654).

 

We will bird at Friant Cove for approximately 30 minutes, and after that, we will head to the Friant Interactive Nature Site, just down the road. After spending approximately an hour at the Friant Interactive Nature Site, we will head to the Fresno County side of Millerton Lake State Recreation Area (36.986393, -119.684266) and explore some of the habitat near the boat launch, and a part of the nature trail that parallels the road.

 

 

At Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, there is a $10 entry fee per vehicle (up to 9 people per vehicle). The cost for seniors is $9 per vehicle. If you have a State Parks pass, definitely bring it along! To reduce costs, we would like to encourage carpooling. Parking vehicles outside the entrance and walking in is not allowed per park rules. Our target species will include Bewick’s Wren, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, California Towhee, California Quail, White-breasted Nuthatch, Spotted Towhee, Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, Bald Eagle, and many more! We will likely be wrapping up at Millerton Lake around 1:30 or 2:00. Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. We will keep registrants informed of any changes.

 

 

Participants should bring day packs, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, plenty of water, snacks, lunch (if desired), and binoculars, and should dress in layers. Hiking shoes are recommended.

 

 

Registration is required for this event. Please register here.

 

Please reach out to trip leader Rachel Clark at tanagergirl@gmail.com or 515-357-0122 with any questions you might have.

 

 

Even if you’re not able to join us, we hope that you are able to Opt Outside on Friday following Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

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