With winter migrants filling local refuges and putting on a tremendous show, now is a wonderful time to bird the Central Valley. Join Fresno Audubon on Wednesday, December 8th for a tour of the Merced National Wildlife Refuge. We will meet at the first parking lot of the refuge, near the bathrooms and the first observation deck, at 1:00pm. 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 gold-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, lesser 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. We ask that participants be vaccinated, wear masks, and adhere to social distancing protocols. Registration is required for this event.

Please register here.

Field Trip to Roeding Park, Saturday, December 18, 2021

Please join Fresno Audubon as we bird Roeding Park on Saturday, December 18. Roeding Park is an easy-to-get-to local destination that has quite a variety of bird life year round. While the heron rookery may not be active right now, there is still plenty to see and hear, including many year round and winter residents that inhabit the ponds and the many trees found around the park. Some of our target species for the outing include Red-shouldered Hawk, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch, Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Orange-crowned Warbler. Roeding Park is located at 890 W. Belmont Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728. There is a $5 per vehicle entry fee that is paid at the kiosk on the way in. We will meet at the pond by Storyland at 7:30 AM (36.752873, -119.825141). The outing will last until approximately 12:00 or 12:30 PM. Participants should bring snacks, water, lunch (if desired), hat, and binoculars, and should dress in layers. We ask that participants be vaccinated, wear masks, and practice social distancing protocols. Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader Rachel Clark at tanagergirl@gmail.com or 515-357-0122. Please register here.

Everyone must do their own risk assessment before participating, but we believe risks to be very low if we follow state and CDC guidelines. By registering you will be agreeing to our liability waiver and will not need to sign again onsite.

We will operate the event according to state and county guidelines: Masks must be warn in public except when outdoors and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distance from others not in their household. You must have a face covering with you at all times and must put it on if you are within 6 feet of others who are not in your household

Field Trip to River West Open Space, Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Register here!

Join Fresno Audubon for a bird hike at River West Open Space on Wednesday, February 9. We will meet at 9am as it is frequently foggy in the morning in the river bottom.

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. FAS is asking that participants be vaccinated and wear masks in addition to following social distancing protocols. 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!

Field Trip to Wildwood Native Park, Saturday, February 19, 2022

Please register here.

Join FAS on Saturday, February 19 as we take part in the 2022 Great Backyard Bird Count by birding at Wildwood Native Park and the surrounding areas. Wildwood Native Park is located in Madera County, just north of Fresno, right off of the 41: https://goo.gl/maps/SKW27jQZhu7kCWpr6  Our target species include Red-shouldered Hawk, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Hermit Thrush, Lesser Goldfinch, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and many more! We will be meeting at 8:00 AM in the parking lot. Participants should bring snacks, lunch (if desired), water, hat, sunscreen, and binoculars, and should dress in layers. We will likely be wrapping up between noon and 1:00 PM. FAS is requiring that participants be vaccinated and wear masks in addition to following social distancing protocols. Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to trip leader Rachel Clark at tanagergirl@gmail.com or 515-357-0122. Please register here.

For anyone curious about the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), it is a four day event held every February in which birders everywhere of all skill levels are encouraged to spend at least 15 minutes counting birds and submit an eBird list. The 2022 GBBC will run from February 18-21. More information can be found at this link: https://www.birdcount.org/participate/

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.