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

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

Marbled Godwit by Gary Woods

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

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

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

Join the River Parkway Trust and Fresno Audubon for an Introduction to Birding Class at the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies.

Class participants will learn how to use binoculars, why birding is a fun and valuable hobby, and about the resources available to help identify birds. After the initial class work, participants will accompany Fresno Audubon experts on a bird walk around the River Center property including the Hidden Homes Trail. This class will begin at the Wisteria Shade Arbor just north of the Ranch House.

Participants should bring binoculars, snacks, water, and sun protection. Fresno Audubon will have binoculars to loan for anyone who doesn’t have their own pair.

There is no cost to attend. Children are welcome.

Please register for the event here.

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

Join Fresno Audubon Society experts for an entry-level bird walk at the River Center. This is a follow-on birding trip for our Introduction to Birding class, but all (including children) are welcome. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from Fresno Audubon. Also bring sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen, plus water and snacks.

Please register for the event here.

Wednesday Bird Walk at Lost Lake

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

Join trip leader Judy Johnson at Lost Lake Park during spring migration. Possible species include Western tanager, phainopepla, Western bluebird, spotted towhee, lark sparrow, spotted sandpiper, kingfisher, red breasted sapsucker, various warblers, and many more. We will meet at the southwest end of the loop, at 8:00am, near the start of the nature trail. Be aware that there is a $5 fee for entering the park. Expect to be finished by 1:00 pm.

The walking will be easy and flat. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, snacks, lunch (optional), binoculars and bird guides, and dress in layers.

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 Judy Johnson (559) 977-2787 (voice or text)

Register Here

Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island

Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

Join trip leader George Folsom to explore Sycamore Island. Sycamore Island is along the San Joaquin River in Madera County downstream form River West open space. It offers a variety of habitats: ponds, riparian, grasslands, oak woodlands and wetlands. We can expect ducks, raptors, herons, egrets, orioles, woodpeckers and perhaps migrating warblers and vireos among may others.

Meet at the access gate off Ave 9, Madera County at 8:00 a.m.. See map below. 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

Register Here

Join Fresno Audubon on Saturday, May 14 as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2022 by exploring China Creek Park and Avocado Lake Park. We will meet at 06:30 in the Wal-Mart parking lot at Blackstone and Ashlan (36.793565, -119.789792, near El Pollo Loco), where we will arrange carpooling.

From there, we will make the approximately 30 minute drive to China Creek Park in Centerville (36.722578, -119.502003). Entry is free at China Creek Park, but parking is a little limited near the entrance. We will hike around China Creek for about 3 to 4 hours. At this location, our target species will be Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Western Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and many more!

After birding at China Creek, we will head to Avocado Lake (36.782435, -119.407550), where we will have a picnic lunch before birding. Be advised that there is a $5 fee per vehicle to enter Avocado Lake Park. Our target species at Avocado Lake will be Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Violet-green Swallow, Oak Titmouse, Phainopepla, Lesser Goldfinch, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and several others! We will plan to wrap up around 2:00 or 3:00 PM.

Participants should bring snacks, lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, and binoculars, and should dress in layers. Registration is required for all participants.

We ask that all participants register individually. This trip is limited to 25 participants. Please reach out to trip leader Rachel Clark at 515-357-0122 or tanagergirl@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns. 

Meeting Place Map

China Creek Park Map

For anyone curious about World Migratory Bird Day, here is a link to more information: https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

Please register for the event here.