EVENT CALENDAR - Fresno Audubon Society
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3
4
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 ...
5
6
7
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...
8
9
10
11
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...
12
13
14
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...
15
16
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20
21
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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24
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27
28
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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Feb
10
Sat
2024
Saturday Walk – San Luis NWR
Feb 10 @ 7:45 am – 4:00 pm

San Luis NWR

Saturday Feb. 10, 2024

Register for this walk here

 

Join a tour of one of the great remnants of the historically bountiful wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway located in the Bear Creek, Salt Slough, and San Joaquin River floodplain.  It hosts a myriad of tree-lined channels, wetlands and native grasslands.  There is a good chance of seeing Tundra Swans, several species of geese, numerous species of ducks, raptors, shorebirds, sparrows and many other wetland and grassland species.  Along the way we will keep an eye out for the native Tule Elk that once numbered in the millions in the Central Valley.  We will stop at the visitors center and view the wildlife and history exhibits before starting the auto-loop drive.  This is an all day trip so plan accordingly.

 

We will meet at Target near Herndon and highway 99 at 7:45 am for an 8:00 am departure.

 

 

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

Register for this walk here

 

 

 

Feb
14
Wed
2024
Field Trip to River West Open Space @ River West Open Space
Feb 14 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Field Trip to River West Open Space, Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Register here!

Join Fresno Audubon for a bird hike at River West Open Space on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. 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 Wes Beal. He can be reached at beal4farms@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
17
Sat
2024
Introduction to Birding Saturday February 17, 2024 @ River Center
Feb 17 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Introduction to Birding at the River Center

11605 Old Friant Rd
Fresno, CA 93730

 

 

Please register for the 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 event here.

 

Feb
24
Sat
2024
Mendota Wildlife Area Feb 24, 2024 @ Mendota Wildlife Area
Feb 24 @ 7:30 am – 12:00 pm

Registration Required.

Link to Registration.

 

Join us for an exciting field trip on Saturday, February 24, 2024! We will meet near the self registration booth at 7:30, just south of Highway 180. 

 

 

From there we’ll take the dirt trail that flows along the Fresno Slough. The trail is relatively flat but may be uneven and muddy in some areas. Walk should end around noon.

 

We expect to observe various species of waterfowl, songbirds, woodpeckers, as well as raptors. Target species include American Bittern, Clark’s Grebe, Marsh Wren, Sora, Virginia Rail, White-tailed Kite, and Great Horned Owl.

 

To ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience, please bring snacks, water, a hat, binoculars (if you need loaners, contact Rick). Dress in layers to prepare for chilly morning temperatures.

 

Registration is required for this event. To secure your spot and receive any additional details, please complete the registration process.

 

If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to the trip leader, Rick Grijalva at rickgrijalva2@gmail.com or 559-578-6168.

 

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

Registration Required.

Link to Registration.

 

Mar
6
Wed
2024
Field Trip to River West Madera @ River West Madera
Mar 6 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Field Trip to River West Madera

Wednesday

March 6, 2024

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.

 

We hope to see a variety of waterfowl, raptors, swallows, sparrows, kinglets, bluebirds, meadowlark and warblers. We will be on special lookout for nesting activity, as this has been an active area for breeding osprey, red-tailed hawks, and great-horned owls in recent years.

 

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!

Mar
9
Sat
2024
Elkhorn Slough, March 9, 2024 (Event is full) @ Elkhorn Slough
Mar 9 @ 1:15 pm – 4:15 pm

Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit and Willet by Peter Nagayama

Event is full.

If you would like to be placed on a waiting list, please send an email to admin@fresnoaudubon.org with the subject line- Elkhorn Waiting List.

 

 

When: Saturday, March 9, 2024
Time: 1:15 on the Private Chartered Boat (22 people)

Cost: $40 per person (NON-REFUNDABLE) Does not include gratuity for Naturalist.

Please Note: Registration Closes February 15, 2024

 

HOW LONG?

Our tours take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

WHERE & WHEN
Please check in with your naturalist, 30 minutes prior to the departure time, at our Office/Gift Shop located at 7981 MOSS LANDING ROAD, STE.E., AT THE CROSSROAD OF SANDHOLDT RD. The naturalist on duty will get you checked in and tell you where to go from there. It’s a short, 1 minute to walk from our Gift Shop to our boat in the harbor.

 

PARKING
FREE PARKING is available on Moss Landing Rd., near our Office/Gift Shop at 7981 Moss Landing Rd. Ste E. As long as you park on the shoulder of the road, without blocking any entrances to the local businesses, parking will be free all day. Parking is also available in the Moss Landing Harbor lot at 7881 SANDHOLDT RD., MOSS LANDING, CA. The cost is $12.00, payable at the harbor office near the flag poles. Parking in the harbor lot is free with a handicap placard.

DO NOT ENTER “ELKHORN SLOUGH” INTO GOOGLE MAPS, THIS WILL DIRECT YOU AWAY FROM OUR LOCATION AND WE WILL NOT BE ABLE HOLD THE DEPARTURE IF YOU ARE LATE.

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING? -BE SURE TO CHECK THE WEATHER THE DAY OF YOUR TOUR -DRESS IN LAYERS, even on warm days it can get quite chilly on the water, be prepared so you stay warm and comfortable. -BINOCULARS, We do offer complimentary binoculars for our guests to use during their tour, but do bring your own if you have a pair. -We recommend comfortable, closed toed shoes. Please, no high heels. -Sunscreen -Blanket, for extra warmth or to cushion your seat -Camera -No food or drink on board please. Bottled water is ok.

 

Please keep in mind that there are NO restrooms on the boat, consuming lots of beverages before the tour is not recommended. There are public restrooms available at the Moss Landing Harbor parking lot, as well as at our Office/Gift Shop.

 

 

We look forward to showing you the wonders of Elkhorn Slough!

 

Elkhorn Slough Safari
www.elkhornslough.com
831-633-5555

 

 

Contact: Maureen Walsh
mewnew10@yahoo.com
(559) 706-4980

 

Checklist: binoculars, bird guide, water, layered clothing and sun protection.

 

Mar
16
Sat
2024
Introduction to Birding Saturday March 16, 2024 @ River Center
Mar 16 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Introduction to Birding at the River Center

11605 Old Friant Rd
Fresno, CA 93730

 

 

Please register for the 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 event here.

 

Mar
23
Sat
2024
Clovis Botanical Gardens: Dry Creek Park and Cottonwood Park March 2024 @ Clovis Botanical Gardens
Mar 23 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Clovis Botanical Garden: Dry Creek Park and Cottonwood Park

Register Here

The Fresno Audubon Society will be hosting a Bird Walk on Saturday March 23,  at the Clovis Botanical Gardens. The walk will include the Botanical Gardens, Dry Creek Park as well as Cottonwood Park and ponding basin.

 

The walk will be about 1-1/2 hours and will be led by Susan Heidebrecht.

 

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

 

We will meet for the walk at the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

Registration is required.

Register Here

Contact Info:

Susan Heidebrecht sunheidebrecht@comcast.net (559) 313-1776

 

Mar
27
Wed
2024
Lake Yosemite in Merced March 27, 2024 Updated @ Lake Yosemite
Mar 27 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

The Fresno Audubon Society Wednesday Walk to Lake Yosemite in Merced will be on March 27. Registration is required for this event.

Register Here

 

Bring lunch and be prepared for cool to warm weather, with possibility of rain. The Lake Yosemite website shows an entrance fee of $6. We may see late wintering birds, including Bald Eagles, Ospreys, several species of ducks, bluebirds, woodpeckers, shrikes, sparrows, and possibly Ferruginous Hawks and falcons, among others, and early spring migrants.
We will congregate at the Lake Yosemite park parking lot just past the entrance kiosk at about 9am.

To get there-Take Hwy 99 north to Campus Parkway/Mission Road, turn right, go east on Campus Parkway past one roundabout, at the second roundabout, go north on Lake Avenue all the way to the UC Merced campus-just beyond it is Lake Yosemite Park-

 

 

Leader contact info:
Cell:  please text 559-377-8427 ( voicemail is problematic so text is preferred)

Register Here

 

Apr
3
Wed
2024
Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island @ Sycamore Island
Apr 3 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

Wednesday Bird Walk at Sycamore Island 

Registration is required for this event.

 

 Registration link

 

Meeting location:  Sycamore Island (36.8590560, -119.8230324)

Meeting time: 8:00 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 559.351.7192 or geofolsom@gmail.com

 Registration link