Birding Sites in the Fresno Area
In Fresno and Clovis
Fresno Wastewater Treatment Plant
Directions: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p. 23, C5). From Highway 41 or 99, take the Jensen Avenue exit. The plant is approximately 5.5 miles west of Highway 41. You will need to call ahead 24 hours in advance if you want to bird inside the plant. Call 559-621-5100 for permission and instructions. Enter the plant at the main Jensen Avenue gate, near the northeast corner of the complex. There is a security booth at the entrance, where you will need to stop. Let them know that you have called ahead for permission to enter. Once inside the plant, proceed south from the main office and past most of the treatment tanks and buildings. Turn right as you near the end of these buildings and find your way out onto the gravel and dirt levee roads between the ponds. You will have access to all ponds north of North Avenue. On weekdays the gates connecting this area to the ponds south of North Avenue may be open and you can bird in that area as well. Staff may be willing to open those gates for you if they are locked. Keep in mind that they have other responsibilities in the plant, and may not be able to open gates at all times.
Policies for access to the plant seem to change fairly often. The information above is the best available to us at this time. Please let us know if the instructions above don't work for you. VIEW MAP
About the area: This is the best waterfowl and shorebird habitat in the immediate Fresno area. It also is one of the best places in Fresno County to find Burrowing Owls. Drive along North Avenue as it passes through the plant, watching along the fences for them. One can drive along North Avenue without actually entering the plant itself.
Fresno Groundwater Recharge Ponds ("Leaky Acres")
Directions: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p. 23, B7). From Highway 168, take the Ashlan Avenue exit. To reach the best viewing areas, proceed east on Ashlan, turning right on Winery Avenue. There are good views along the entire length of Winery between Ashlan and Dakota Avenue to the south. Another good area can be found by taking Dakota back toward Highway 168. Just before crossing the highway, turn right on Hayston Avenue and proceed to the end of that street. More ponds can be reached by going north on Winery from Ashlan and turning left on Holland Avenue. Proceed to the end of that street, where the ponds are located. VIEW MAP
About the area: Good in fall, winter, and spring for shorebirds, egrets, some waterfowl, sparrows, and finches. Great-tailed Grackles are found in this area, particularly on the east end of the complex. This is one of the only places in the Fresno area where this species is regularly seen.
Woodward Park and Jensen River Ranch
Directions: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p. 23, B6). From Highway 41, take the Friant Road exit. Turn right and follow Friant Road as it curves to the left. Turn left at Audubon Avenue. The park entrance will be on the right. Jensen River Ranch lies immediately north of the park. The foot trails across the Ranch allow access to the San Joaquin River. VIEW MAP
About the area: The park is good for cormorants, some waterfowl, woodpeckers, and sparrows. Jensen River Ranch is good for flycatchers, raptors, egrets, herons and kingfishers.
Milburn Overlook
Directions: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p. 23, B6). From Herndon Avenue, drive a few blocks north on Milburn Avenue (between Brawley and Polk Avenues). At the end of the public road is an overlook with a small parking lot on the right side. VIEW MAP
About the area: The overlook is high above a large body of water, so there are few close views from here. A spotting scope is helpful, especially for birds in the middle or far side of the water. Good in winter for waterfowl, egrets, herons, cormorants, some shorebirds, Bald Eagles; good in summer for terns and gulls.
Fancher Creek Canal
Directions: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p. 23, C7). From Clovis Avenue in southeast Fresno, go west on Butler Avenue. The canal crosses Butler at DeWitt Avenue. There is parking on the south side of Butler. A walkway on the east bank of the canal goes south approximately .5 mile to the railroad tracks. VIEW MAP
About the area: The Fresno area is criss-crossed with many irrigation and flood-control canals. Most of them have been turned into sterile environments that support almost no wildlife. The Fancher Creek Canal, however, is an exception. While it's still a canal (and stands empty during parts of the winter), stands of mature trees along the canal have created a good riparian habitat.
Within one hour of Fresno
Lost Lake Park
Directions: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p. 23, A7). From Highway 41 in Fresno, take Friant Road north. The entrance to the park is on the left about 10.2 miles from Highway 41 (N 36°58.5' W119°43.4'). There is a $4/vehicle entrance fee to the park. VIEW MAP
About the area: Lost Lake was created in the late 1930s and early 1940s, when rock was quarried here for Friant Dam. The best birding is on either end of the park, though it's also worthwhile to head straight for the river and simply bird up and down the shore. You will see the river in front of you as you reach the entrance booth.
To bird the campground, turn right at the entrance booth. Unless you are camping, you will have to park your vehicle at the campground entrance and walk into the area. There are two small ponds near the campground. The first is to the east from the first campground restroom building, immediately behind the campsites there; the second is east from the second restroom building. Walk along the chain link fence about .1 of a mile to reach this pond. Behind the fence is a fish hatchery pond that often has waterfowl in the winter.
A willow thicket (N 36°59.1' W 119°43.3') beyond the campground is often good for sparrows and allows views upriver. To reach the thicket, go to the very end of the campground loop and walk north into the thicket. There are various unmaintained trails winding through the thicket. This is one of the best sections of the park for migrating warblers in the spring. At about 0.2 of a mile you will reach a small stream running between the fish hatchery and the San Joaquin River.
To bird the other end of the park, turn left at the entrance booth. At about 0.5 mile there is a picnic area, which is worth a look. At about this same place there is a fork in the road to the right. Take that fork to reach the nature trail, which has a sign marking the trail head. This trail is about a half mile in length, and often contains good birds.
The lake is about a quarter mile past the picnic area. Water levels have dropped significantly in recent years, and the lake is no longer as good for birding as it once was. There are three turn-outs for parking on the left that offer good views of the lake. The second turn-out (N 36° 57.9' W 119°44.3') provides the best overall view. At the end of this road, follow a small trail on a bearing of W 250° toward the river. At 0.1 mile, the trail drops steeply into a dense cottonwood thicket. You can pick up the nature trail in this thicket and follow it upstream along the river back to the trail head.
Avocado Lake
Directions: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p. 24, B2). From Fresno, take Highway 180 (Kings Canyon Road) east. Shortly after crossing the Kings River, turn left onto Piedra Road. Go about eight miles to Avocado Lake Park (entrance is on the left side of Piedra Road). Driving time: about 45 minutes from Fresno. There is a $3/vehicle entrance fee to the park. VIEW MAP
About the area: Avocado Lake was created in the 1950s as a quarry site for Pine Flat Dam. There are paved roads throughout the developed sections of the park. One can drive completely around the lake on rather rough unpaved roads. The Kings River flows very near the lake on its northwest shore, and there are several places where one can easily walk down to the riverbank. Good in winter for waterfowl, woodpeckers, sparrows. Good in spring for flycatchers, swallows, egrets, herons, orioles.
Madera Wastewater Treatment Plant
Directions: (DeLorme Southern California Atlas, p. 22, A4). From Highway 99, take the Avenue 12 exit and go west to Road 21½. Go north to Avenue 13; the plant office is on the northwest corner of Road 21½ and Avenue 13. Check in at the office to let them know you want to enter the ponds. No advance notice is required. The entrance road is a short distance north of the office, on the left side of Road 21½. VIEW MAP
About the area: Good for waterfowl in winter and shorebirds during migration.
Producer's Dairy and Mendota Waterfowl Management Area
Directions: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p. 22, C2). From Fresno, take Highway 180 (Whitesbridge Road) west through Kerman. The dairy is ten miles west of Kerman, and the refuge is seven miles west of the dairy. Driving time: 30 to 40 minutes from Fresno. View the Dairy property only from the shoulder of Whitesbridge Road; do not enter the dairy without permission. VIEW MAP
About the area: In spring and summer, Producer's Dairy has Brewer's, Red-winged, Tricolored, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds; Burrowing Owls are often seen in the field opposite the dairy; during wet springs ibises and curlews are in the fields around the dairy. The waterfowl management area is good in winter for Sandhill Cranes, White-faced Ibises, waterfowl (especially Snow Geese), raptors, owls.
Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 118, C2). From Fresno, take Highway 99 north to Sandy Mush Road. Turn left on Sandy Mush Road and go west 15 miles to refuge. Driving time: about one hour from Fresno. VIEW MAP
About the area: Excellent in winter for Sandhill Cranes, large flocks of Snow, Ross', White-fronted, and Canada Geese, ibises, other waterfowl, shorebirds (especially curlews). Sandy Mush Road is good for raptors, especially Ferruginous Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Black-shouldered Kites, and eagles. A bird list for this refuge is available.
Shaver Lake
Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 121, C6/D6). From Clovis, take Highway 168 north to the town of Shaver Lake. Continue past town to Camp Edison (fee required), which is on the right side of the road. Inside the camp, go to lake. Driving time: about one hour from Fresno. VIEW MAP.
About the area: In spring and summer, Camp Edison is good for nesting warblers (especially McGillivray's, Yellow, Hermit, and Townsend's), woodpeckers (especially White-headed and Pileated), flycatchers, Mountain Quail.
Dinkey Creek Road (Swanson Meadow)
Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 121, D6). From Clovis take Highway 168 north to the town of Shaver Lake. Turn right on Dinkey Creek Road, and drive about five miles to the large meadows just past Camp Chawanakee. Park in turnout on right. Driving time: about one hour from Fresno. VIEW MAP.
About the area: Meadows are good for warblers, Cassin's and Purple Finch, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Green-tailed Towhee, Mountain Quail, woodpeckers, owls (including an occasional Great Gray). You can walk quite a distance away from the road in either direction. Keep in mind that the meadows can be quite wet at certain times of year.
Farther away, but worth the drive
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 118, C1). From Fresno, take Highway 99 north to Highway 152. Go west on Highway 152 to Los Banos, and turn north on Highway 165 (Mercey Springs Road). Go north on Highway 165 for about 9 miles. Driving time: a little more than 1 hour from Fresno. VIEW MAP
About the area: Good in winter for waterfowl (especially Snow and Ross' Geese, Tundra Swans), Sandhill Cranes, ibises, raptors, some shorebirds. Highway 165 has many wet fields in winter and is good for shorebirds, ibises, Black-shouldered Kites, other raptors, waterfowl. A bird list for the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge is available.
O'Neill Forebay
Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 117, D6). There are two primary entry points for the forebay: the Madeiros Campground on the east side, and the San Luis Creek campground on the west. From Fresno, take Highway 99 to Highway 152 and stay on 152 through Los Banos to Highway 33, about three miles past I-5. To reach the Madeiros Campground, t urn right onto Highway 33 and continue northbound approx 0.3 mile to the campground entrance on the west side of Hwy 33. To reach the San Luis Campground, continue west past Highway 33 for 3.5 miles to the campground entrance on the north side of the highway. Driving time: 1.5 - 1.75 hours from Fresno. VIEW MAP
The O'Neill Forebay is a large body of deep water, and is excellent for diving ducks. It is one of the best inland locations in Central California for Greater Scaup, Common Loon, and coastal gull species.
Panoche Valley
Directions for loop route: (DeLorme Southern/Central California Atlas, p.21, B5/B6/C5/D5/D6). From Producer's Dairy (see above) go west on Highway 180. Stay on 180 as it turns to the northwest toward Mendota. Turn left on Belmont Avenue. Follow Belmont until it ends and turn right on Fairfax Avenue. Turn left on Shields Avenue (also known as County Road J1). Soon after crossing Interstate 5, Shields becomes Little Panoche Road. Follow Little Panoche Road until it ends in a T at Panoche Road, where you should turn left. Bear left at the fork with New Idria Road. The remainder of Panoche Road is mostly unpaved and you should think twice about completing a loop route if it has recently rained, or is threatening to rain. The unpaved section of this road can turn into a hopelessly slippery mess in a matter of minutes. Under such conditions you should turn around at the end of the pavement and retrace your route. If you do complete the loop, the pavement returns shortly before reaching Interstate 5. Continue on past the California Aquaduct. The road then takes a few turns (left on Newcomb, right on North, left on Lyon, right on California, and a slight left angle on Panoche Rd to the junction to 180 and 33. VIEW MAP
About the area: The Little Panoche Detention Reservoir (on the north end of the loop) is good for waterfowl, swallows, and swifts. From the reservoir parking lot, walk south across the dam to the trail that bends to the right. This area has some hills, however much of the area can be accessed with light to moderate effort. Most of the rest of the route is grassland habitat, and is good for sparrows, gnatcatchers, thrashers, bluebirds, and raptors. Plan an entire day for this trip, particularly if you explore any of the side roads. Be aware that this is a very isolated area with no services. Take along whatever you need, because you won't find anyplace to get it in Panoche Valley.
Yosemite National Park: Bridalveil Creek
Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 110, C4). From Fresno, take Highway 41 north to Yosemite National Park. After passing the entrance, turn left toward Yosemite Valley. At Glacier Point Road (closed in winter) turn right, drive about ten miles to Bridalveil Creek campground. Park at the campground. Driving time: about 3 hours from Fresno. VIEW MAP
About the area: good in spring and summer for warblers, woodpeckers (especially Williamson's Sapsucker and Black-backed), Blue Grouse, Townsend's Solitaire, mountain flycatchers. Nearby McGurk Meadows is excellent in spring and summer for owls, especially Western Screech, Northern Pygmy, and Great Gray.
Yosemite National Park: Glacier Point
Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 110, C4). From Bridalveil Campground (directions above), continue east on Glacier Point Road to Glacier Point parking lot. Glacier Point Road is closed during the winter. VIEW MAP
About the area: The best birding area is around the Point, and also along Glacier Point Road up to the old campground.Good in spring and summer for woodpeckers (especially Pileated and Black-backed), Blue Grouse, flycatchers, warblers, mountain finches.
