Avocado Lake Bird Walk

Explore Avocado Lake’s Hidden Treasures!

Registration is required for this event.

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 closes 24 hours before the event or when full.

Registration link

Join us for a birding adventure at Avocado Lake, a lesser-known gem offering a diverse habitat of open waters, riparian zones along the Kings River, and oak woodlands. This scenic area is ideal for spotting a variety of species including fall migrants, woodpeckers, nuthatches, sparrows, and finches—keep an eye out for the elusive Lawrence’s Goldfinch! The lake itself may host early wintering waterfowl and the occasional Common Loon. Raptors and towhees are also frequent visitors to this vibrant birding spot.

We’ll gather at 7:45 a.m. at the Manchester Center (corner of Blackstone & Shields), with an 8 a.m. departure.

Be prepared for a rewarding day of birding, and don’t forget your essentials:

Checklist: Binoculars, field guide app(s), snacks, lunch, water, sunscreen, and hat.

Trip Leader: Rick Grijalva, 559-578-6168

Birding at the Ruth Mckenzie Preserve

Registration is required for this event.

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

FAS Release of Liability Form

Join FAS for birding at the Ruth Mckenzie Preserve.  The walk is initially fairly easy, along a dirt road that undulates along a stream.  After about a mile, the road crosses the stream, and the hiking becomes a bit steeper.  We may see enough birds along that mile that we won’t cross the creek.  Possible sightings are Acorn Woodpeckers, Lewis Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Red-Tailed Hawk, Bluebirds, and a nesting pair of Golden Eagles.

Meet at the parking lot at the Sportsman’s Warehouse on Friant Road at 8:00.

Participants should bring snacks, lunch (if desired), water, binoculars, and a hat.  Wear sturdy shoes.  Registration is required for this event.  If you have questions, reach out to either trip leader.

Contact:

Wes Beal

(559) 250-2988

email: beal4farms@gmail.com

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

FAS Release of Liability Form

Lost Lake Audubon Field Trip Oct. 26

Registration is required for this event.

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 closes 24 hours before the event or when full.

Registration link

Location: Lost Lake , Fresno County Park

                  Lost Lake Rd, Friant, CA 93626

Date and Meeting time: 8:00 am, Oct. 26th

Meeting location in park: Audubon Trailhead at the west end (down stream end) of the park. There is a small parking area at the trailhead, and a larger one a few hundred yards further into the park.

Duration of walk: 8:00 am – 11 am

Special instructions: the park entrance fee is usually enforced. Fee is $5. Please follow instructions at the entry kiosk if there is no attendant at the kiosk. 

What to bring: Binoculars, check weather report for comfortable clothing, (this is the month of March, almost any weather is possible), walking shoes, sunscreen / hat, water, snacks ( or lunch if staying beyond noon), free downloads of Audubon and/or Merlin Apps are very useful, western bird identification field guides are also useful. Be advised , there may be insects such as mosquitos, gnats etc. 

Walk Description: walking on mostly flat park grass, or on paved park road, from west ( at the trailhead) to east ( toward Friant Dam and the park campground). We will bird river, river lined grass/ shrub and oak tree habitat, and on the upper road the grassland leading into the park, using binoculars but also using the Merlin Sound ID app as an enhanced identification tool. In the park, there are picnic benches for rest stops, and the restrooms are usually open.

Possible birds: Egrets (several species), Cedar Waxwing, Hawks (several species) Varied Thrush, Bald Eagle,  Common Merganser , Acorn Woodpecker, Canada Goose, Ring- necked Duck, Anna’s Hummingbird, Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, Phainopepla, Black Phoebe, and many others.

Other possible sightings…Coyotes, Bobcats…on the other side of the river.

Registration is required for this walk.

Hard Rain or flooding cancels this walk.

Trip Leader: Kevin Enns-Rempel

Contact information: 

Email: kevin.enns.rempel@gmail.com

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

The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam

Registration is required for this event.

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 Link

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 our target species include Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, Oak Titmouse, Acorn Woodpecker,  California Quail,  White-Breasted Nuthatch 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. Registration is required for this event. If you have any questions, please reach out to the trip leader.

Contact:

Susan Heidebrecht

(559) 313-1777

email: sunheidebrecht@comcast.net

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

Kings River Mitigation Site

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.

FAS Release of Liability Form

Registration Link

Leader: Rick Grijalva, rickgrijalva2@gmail.com

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Field Trip Description:

Join us for a new bird walk. This site is not usually accessible to the public, but Fresno Audubon Society and Westervelt Ecological Services have partnered for this unique field trip. Though not on the Kings River, the property is situated along the western extent of the historical Kings River floodplain. There are approximately 1.5 acres of open water on the site where Virginia Rails have been heard calling for over a year. Join us for an educational birding excursion led by Westervelt’s senior ecologist, Francesca Carrizo, and FAS President, Rick Grijalva. Likely bird species include a variety of hawks, warblers, sparrows, blackbirds, ducks, and other waterfowl.

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Meet at Faller Park at 7:45 a.m. to arrange carpools to the site. Park cars on 10th Street. We will leave at 8:00 a.m.  for the Mitigation Site.

NOTE:

• Participants will need to sign a Westervelt Ecological Services waiver;
• There are very little defined trails on the property, so the field trip will require walking off trail in uneven terrain with potentially tall grass – I recommend everyone wear pants and sturdy shoes they don’t mind getting dirty;
• There are cows on the site and will likely have to avoid cow patties when we walk;
• There are no bathrooms on the property.

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Registration Link

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Registration Link

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

FAS Release of Liability Form

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 13 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 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 is required for this event.

Registration Link

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

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

FAS Release of Liability Form

Register Here

Note: Payment is now a part of the registration process. 

When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:30 on the Private Chartered Boat (22 people)

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

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.

Kern National Wildlife Refuge

Thursday, November 21, 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

FAS Release of Liability Form

Registration is required for this event.

Registration Link

Opt Outside November 29, 2024

Registration is required for this event.

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

FAS Release of Liability Form

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On November 29, Fresno Audubon will sponsor the annual #optoutside Bird Walk as a fun alternative to Black Friday Christmas Shopping.

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We will meet in front of the Target at Riverpark Shopping Center at 7:45am and leave no later than 8am.

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Our first stop will be the parking lot at Friant Road and Highway 145, where the bridge goes over the San Joaquin River. In the past, this area has been good for waterfowl, woodpeckers, sparrows, and more. Then we will drive over to the Madera(West-camping) side of Millerton Lake State Recreation Area. Just inside the entrance kiosk(there is an entrance fee), we will stop to look for both Rock and Canyon Wrens, more sparrows, Say’s Phoebes, and other birds, as well as scan the reservoir for waterfowl and gulls. We will then go to the camping areas, looking for more sparrows, woodpeckers, hawks, phoebes, finches, and shrikes, among many other birds.

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Bring a lunch. Participants are responsible for carpool arrangements beforehand.

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For more information, contact Larry Parmeter at 559-288-3456 or at lanpar362@gmail.com.

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

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

FAS Release of Liability Form

River West Madera

December 4, 2024 

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Leaders: John McDaniel/George Folsom

(559) 779-7186/(559) 351-7192

mandomac@comcast.net /georgefolsom@icloud.com

Carpooling arrangements (unless Wildwood Nature Park is open—check with trip leaders):

Location: Target Parking Lot (see River Park Shopping Center map)

7600 N Blackstone

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Destination (see Golf Center Trailhead map for both locations):

Location: Intersection next to Valley Golf Center 

41445 Ave 9, Fresno, CA 93720

Alternate location if open (check with trip leaders):

Wildwood Native Park

Madera, California

Time: 8:15 a.m.

We will meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Target parking area in River Park Shopping Center to carpool to our destination due to limited parking at the destination. We will proceed from Target to Valley Golf Center (which is south of and down the hill from Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera County). 

Directions from Fresno: 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. Park along either side of the road or under the bridges. Do not park in the Golf Center parking area or in the posted no parking areas immediately to the south.

If the Wildwood Native Park is re-opened by the the time of the trip, we will instead rendezvous at Wildwood and avoid the carpooling arrangements. The route to Wildwood Park is the same as the Golf Center, except you turn left at the Avenue 9 intersection and proceed around the corner to the park entrance. See accompanying maps.

Weather and trail conditions permitting, the plan is to walk on Palm Avenue from the golf course, 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 service 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, including black-crowned night heron, wigeon, gadwall, green-wing teal, cinnamon teal, phainopepla, wrens, and acorn, Nuttall’s and downy woodpeckers. Expect also to see the usual assortment of white-crowned, song and Lincoln sparrows, several flavor of egrets, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks,  On our spring walks we may see signs of nesting activity by the returning osprey and great-horned owls, and perhaps an appearance by a bald eagle. 

Bring suitable clothing (layers) and walking shoes (depending on the season, the trail may be sloppy in some areas), 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. 

Leader: John McDaniel

Phone: (559) 779-7186

Email: mandomac@comcast.net

REGISTRATION Link