Wednesday Walk – Merced NWR Crane Fly-in

\ \ \ \ \ Merced National Wildlife Refuge Crane Fly-in Nov. 11, 2026 Details Subject to Change. Registration required: Please register here.     With winter migrants filling local refuges ......More

\ \ \ \ \ Merced National Wildlife Refuge Crane Fly-in Nov. 11, 2026 Details Subject to Change. Registration required: 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 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) 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). Map to McDonald’s Map to MNWR 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, phoebes, various sparrows, American pipits, numerous species of ducks and geese, American white pelicans, wading birds and shore birds, egrets, American coots, red-tailed hawks, northern harriers and other hawks. Also possible are bald eagles, great-horned owls, 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 required: Please register here. Checklist: binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras, jackets, snacks, water, insect repellent, and radios. Trip Leader: Judy Johnson  (559) 977-2787  

MNWR

The Raptor Trail Field Trip on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam

\ \ \ \ \ The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam Registration is required for this event. Registration Link   All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when ......More

\ \ \ \ \ The Raptor Trail on The Kings River at Pine Flat Dam 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   Join FAS for birding along the Kings River. Meet at 9:00 (NOTE NEW TIME) below Pine Flat Dam. 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.   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: Maureen Walsh (559) 706-4980 email: [email protected] 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 @ Kings River Wildlife Area

Field Trip to Kern NWR Thursday November 19, 2026

\ \ \ \ \ Kern National Wildlife Refuge Thursday Walk Thursday, November 19, 2026 Registration Link All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. Use the QR code......More

\ \ \ \ \ Kern National Wildlife Refuge Thursday Walk Thursday, November 19, 2026 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 trip leader Judy Johnson for an excursion to Kern National Wildlife Refuge for sightings of migratory waterfowl.   We will meet in the Walmart parking lot at Ashland and Blackstone at 6:45am for a 7:00am start.   It will take us at least 2 hours to reach Kern NWR, and we may make a brief stop at the Corcoran Reservoir, fog permitting. Target birds include the usual winter duck species, with canvas backs and red heads likely. Good chance of seeing several grebe species, gallinules, and the usual wading birds. If we are lucky, we may see ferruginous hawks and peregrine falcons on the drive down, and possibly greater roadrunners.   Bring day packs, lunch, snacks, plenty of water, binoculars, sunscreen, and radios (walkie talkies) if you have them. Dress in layers. Hiking will be minimal, but wear comfortable walking shoes.   We will leave the refuge at 1-2:00pm, arriving in Fresno at around 3-4:00pm.   Registration is required for this event. Registration Link

Kern National Wildlife Refuge

Introduction to Birding Saturday Nov. 2026

\ \ \ \ \ 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......More

\ \ \ \ \ 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 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! Link to Beginning Birding Handout 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. Subject to change. 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  

River Center @ 11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno, CA 93730

#optoutside Opt Outside Bird Walk

\ \ \ \ \ Opt Outside Friday, November 27, 2026 Registration is required for this event. Registration Link All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Waiver Form when they register. ......More

\ \ \ \ \ Opt Outside Friday, November 27, 2026 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 . On Friday, November 27, Fresno Audubon will sponsor the annual #optoutside Bird Walk as a fun alternative to Black Friday Christmas Shopping. . We will meet in front of the Target at Riverpark Shopping Center at 7:45am and leave no later than 8am. . . 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. . Bring a lunch. Participants are responsible for carpool arrangements beforehand. . For more information, contact Larry Parmeter at 559-288-3456 or at [email protected]. . Even if you’re not able to join us, we hope that you are able to Opt Outside on Friday following Thanksgiving!    

Friant Cove/Millerton Lake

FAS Board Meeting

\ \ \ \ \ Contact [email protected] for login credentials.

Zoom meeting

Barn Owl in the Garden Presentation

\ \ \ \ \ Barn Owls In The Garden Nature’s Rodent Control 10:00-11:30 December 2, 2026 Registration is required for each attendee. Registration Link Registration is requi......More

\ \ \ \ \ Barn Owls In The Garden Nature’s Rodent Control 10:00-11:30 December 2, 2026 Registration is required for each attendee. Registration Link Registration is required for each attendee. Registration Link

Clovis Botanical Garden

Field Trip to River West Madera December 9, 2026

\ \ \ \ \ Field Trip to River West Madera Wednesday December 9, 2026 REGISTRATION Link    Rain Cancels Event Details Subject to Change   All participants must agree to the FAS Liability Wa......More

\ \ \ \ \ Field Trip to River West Madera Wednesday December 9, 2026 REGISTRATION Link    Rain Cancels 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 FAS Release of Liability Form River West Madera Dec. 9, 2026 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.   Leaders:  George Folsom     We will meet at 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.       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.        REGISTRATION Link 

River West Madera

Introduction to Birding Saturday Dec. 2026

\ \ \ \ \ 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......More

\ \ \ \ \ 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 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! Link to Beginning Birding Handout 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. Subject to change. 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  

River Center @ 11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno, CA 93730

FAS Board Meeting

\ \ \ \ \ Contact [email protected] for login credentials.

Zoom meeting