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FULL Evening Owl Walk at Jensen River Ranch 4:00 pm
FULL Evening Owl Walk at Jensen River Ranch @ Jensen River Ranch
Dec 7 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Evening Owl Walk at Jensen River Ranch This event is currently full. You can try using the register here link to see if there are any cancellations. Registration is required for this event. Register Here Join FAS for an evening Owl Walk on the Jensen...
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General Meeting – Robert Groos, Wild Turkeys, up close and personal 7:00 pm
General Meeting – Robert Groos, Wild Turkeys, up close and personal @ Zoom
Dec 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
General Meeting - Robert Groos, Wild Turkeys, up close and personal @ Zoom
 Virtual General Meeting Robert Groos Wild Turkeys, Up Close and Personal Register for Fresno Audubon General Meeting December 13th, 7:00pm This meeting will be broadcast online via Zoom  Register to receive login information. New to Zoom? Check out all you need to know here before...
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Field Trip to Merced National Wildlife Refuge 2022 11:45 am
Field Trip to Merced National Wildlife Refuge 2022 @ Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Dec 14 @ 11:45 am – 5:30 pm
Merced National Wildlife Refuge Wednesday, December 14 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, December 14 for a tour of the...
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Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count
Dec 17 all-day
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count   On Saturday, December 17, 2022, 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 count each of the...
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Introduction to Birding Dec. 18, 2022 9:00 am
Introduction to Birding Dec. 18, 2022 @ River Center
Dec 18 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Introduction to Birding at the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies 11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno, CA 93730 Please register for the December 18 event here.   The Parkway Trust and Fresno Audubon Society have joined forces to offer a birding class that combines instruction,...
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Dec
13
Tue
2022
General Meeting – Robert Groos, Wild Turkeys, up close and personal @ Zoom
Dec 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

 Virtual General Meeting

Robert Groos

Wild Turkeys, Up Close and Personal

Wild Turkeys by Robert Groos

Register for Fresno Audubon General Meeting December 13th, 7:00pm
This meeting will be broadcast online via Zoom
 Register to receive login information.

New to Zoom? Check out all you need to know here before the meeting.

Title: Robert Groos, Wild Turkeys, up close and personal

 

Description: Wild Turkeys, up close and personal

 

Wild Turkeys roam the foothills of Coarsegold. In early spring, an annual pageant unfolds: traveling leks of hopeful males seeking to mate with willing females. It is a wondrous exposition of biological desire, and much more. I’ve had the good fortune to observe and capture it all with photos and video. In this presentation, you will witness the phenomena of Wild Turkey leks, courtship displays, male to male combat, copulation, predation upon nests, and more. 

 

Don’t be a turkey and miss out on this opportunity to experience the thrill of seeing these magnificent birds at their wild best.

 

Biography: 

 

Robert received a PhD in French from the University of Wisconsin, became a university professor, but eventually left academia to pursue a career in computer technology consulting.

 

He began photographing birds in preparation for a safari in Botswana. What better way to learn how to use a camera than photographing birds, he reasoned. Birds eventually became his favorite photographic subject. “I’ve never met a bird I didn’t want to photograph,” he admits.

 

His photograph of a Cedar Waxwing was selected to appear in a special Audubon Photography Awards gallery of  “our favorite female bird shots 2021.”

 

Choosing to be a bird photographer necessitated becoming an avid birder, and that pursuit led to storytelling about his experiences observing birds.

 

You can read FAS member Robert Groos’ stories on his website: robertgroosphotography.com

 



Fresno Audubon Society
Thank you for your continued involvement in and support of Fresno Audubon Society.
Dec
14
Wed
2022
Field Trip to Merced National Wildlife Refuge 2022 @ Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Dec 14 @ 11:45 am – 5:30 pm

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Wednesday, December 14

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, December 14 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 below) 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). 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 Golden-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, Least 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.

 

Registration is required for this event.

Please register here.

Dec
17
Sat
2022
Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count
Dec 17 all-day

Lost Lake Christmas Bird Count

Elegant Terns, Malibu Lagoon, by Rick Grijalva

 

On Saturday, December 17, 2022, 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 count each of the birds they see and hear. Generally, the count lasts from dawn until dusk, but we understand that some people who wish to participate might not be able to devote that much time to the count, and that is perfectly alright! Participants can devote as much or as little time as they desire, so do not be deterred if you cannot count birds all day! Even if you are not a birding expert, you can still partake in the count if you are willing to pair up with an expert birder, so do not let that deter you, either!

 

If you are interested in participating, or have any questions, please reach out to Lost Lake CBC compiler/Fresno Audubon president Rachel Clark at tanagergirl@gmail.com.

 

Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, the Christmas Bird Count, held annually from December 14-January 5, is a time during which citizen scientists from all over the Americas turn out to count birds in designated areas, collecting valuable data on the long-term health and status of bird populations. For more information about the history of the Christmas Bird Count and how the data is used, follow this link: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/history-christmas-bird-count

Dec
18
Sun
2022
Introduction to Birding Dec. 18, 2022 @ River Center
Dec 18 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Introduction to Birding at the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies

11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno, CA 93730

Please register for the December 18 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! 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.

Jan
4
Wed
2023
FAS Board Meeting @ Zoom meeting
Jan 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Contact rsnow@fresnoaudubon.org for login credentials

Jan
10
Tue
2023
General Meeting – Julie Brown, Why count raptors? @ Zoom
Jan 10 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

 Virtual General Meeting

Julie Brown

Why count raptors?

Register for Fresno Audubon General Meeting January 10th, 7:00pm
This meeting will be broadcast online via Zoom
 Register to receive login information.

New to Zoom? Check out all you need to know here before the meeting.

Julie Brown

Monitoring migratory raptors in the Americas

 

Description: 

I will be speaking about the Hawk Migration Association of North America, our current programs and the work we do to support the raptor migration monitoring network. I’ll talk about HawkCount.org, the largest citizen science database in the world and how these data are being used to determine raptor population trends across the continent.

 

Biography: 

Julie Brown is the Raptor Migration and Programs Director at HMANA since 2008. Prior to her work at HMANA,  she migrated throughout the US and tropics working as field biologist primarily with raptors, focusing on human impact studies,  migration research and behavioral studies.  Julie received her BS in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Maine and received her MS in Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England where she studied Peregrine Falcon migration in Costa Rica. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband who she met hawkwatching and her two bird loving children.



Fresno Audubon Society
Thank you for your continued involvement in and support of Fresno Audubon Society.
Jan
18
Wed
2023
Wednesday Walk – Avocado Lake/Choinumni Park
Jan 18 @ 7:45 am – 1:00 pm

Registration Required.

Link to Registration.

 

On January 18, Fresno Audubon will have its Wednesday Walk to Avocado Lake and nearby Choinumni Park, led by Larry Parmeter. Avocado Lake, an often-overlooked little jewel of a birding site, has a large open lake, riparian areas along the Kings River, and oak woodlands. It’s a great place for woodpeckers, nuthatches, sparrows, finches, including Lawrence’s Goldfinch, towhees, and raptors. Wintering waterfowl may be on the lake, along with possible Common Loons. Choinumni Park is known for woodpeckers and raptors among many other species. We’ll meet at 7:45am at the Walmart parking lot at Ashlan and Blackstone for an 8am departure. Carpooling arrangements must be made beforehand.

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

Trip Leader: Larry Parmeter (559)276-8753, lanpar362@gmail.com

Registration Required.

Link to Registration.

Click here for a map to the meeting place

Jan
21
Sat
2023
Saturday Field Trip – Merced Grasslands & Merced NWR
Jan 21 @ 6:45 am – 5:45 pm

Registration required for all FAS field trips.

Registration for this trip is here.

Event details subject to change.

Jeff Seay will lead this trip through the Merced Grasslands Important Bird Area finishing at Merced National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at that Walmart parking lot at Ashlan and Blackstone at 6:45 am for a 7 am departure. The trip will cover the Madera County’s foothill Grasslands on the way to the Merced Wildlife Refuge. We expect to see wintering raptors and other birds of the low foothills and grasslands. We will mostly be driving and getting out of the car periodically with possible small walks. At the end of the trip we will enjoy the spectacle of sandhill cranes, snow and Ross’s geese, and other waterfowl. It will last most of the day, ending about 5:45 at the refuge.

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

Registration for this trip is here.

Directions to the assembly point are here.

Trip leader: Jeff Seay, ‭(559) 960-0849‬, jeffseay@sbcglobal.net

 

Introduction to Birding Jan. 21, 2023 @ River Center
Jan 21 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Introduction to Birding at the Coke Hallowell Center for River Studies

11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno, CA 93730

Please register for the January 21 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! 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 21 event here.

Jan
28
Sat
2023
Field Trip to River West Open Space @ River West Open Space
Jan 28 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

Field Trip to River West Open Space, Saturday, January 28, 2023

Event Details Subject to Change

Register here!

Join Fresno Audubon for a bird hike at River West Open Space on Saturday January 28. 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 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!