Fresno Audubon Society

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.

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.

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.

Other urban ponds

The Fresno/Clovis area has many ponding basins, most maintained by the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District. Many of these ponds are good for shorebirds and waterfowl. The water levels in these ponds can fluctuate widely (most of them are even empty from time to time), so the number and type of birds also fluctuates. A few examples of such ponds include:

• Ashlan Avenue, just east of Peach Avenue (across from Costco)
• Minnewawa Avenue, between Olive and Belmont Avenues
• The southwest corner of the Bullard/Fowler Avenue intersection
• Barstow Avenue, west of Valentine Avenue (most easily reached by taking Valentine north from Shaw, and turning left on Barstow).
• Alluvial Avenue, west of Clovis Avenue

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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. 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. 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. The temperature is always several degrees cooler in this thicket than anywhere else in the area.

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.

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.

Black Mountain

Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 121, D5). From Clovis, take Highway 168 north to town of Prather. From Prather go straight past the Shaver Lake turnoff about 1/4 mile. Turn right onto Black Mountain Road, and go to the caretaker's house at end of road (this is Sierra Foothill Conservancy property, and you need the caretaker's permission to be there. Call Chuck Peck at 559-855-3473). Driving time: about 45 minutes from Fresno.

About the area: Good in spring for migrating warblers, flycatchers, Lazuli Buntings, tanagers, finches, sparrows.

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.

Hensley and Eastman Lakes

Directions to Hensley Lake: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 120, C1/D2). From Fresno, take Highway 41 north to Highway 145. Go west on 145 to Hensley Lake turnoff, and from there eight miles to Hensley Lake.

Directions to Eastman Lake: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 120, C1). From Hensley Lake, take Road 603 west and turn north on Road 29. Follow this road to the lake. Driving time: 45 minutes from Fresno.

About the area: Both lakes are good in winter for waterfowl, woodpeckers (especially Lewis' Woodpeckers), raptors (especially Bald Eagle). Road 603 is good for Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, also large flocks of Mountain Bluebirds. A nesting pair of Bald Eagles is at Eastman during summer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Los Banos Wildlife Area

Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 118, C1/D1). From Fresno, take Hwy 99 north to Hwy 152. Go west on Hwy 152 to Los Banos and turn right and north on Hwy 165 (Mercey Springs Road). Continue north on Hwy 165 for 3 miles to Henry Miller Avenue. Turn right and head eastbound on Henry Miller for approximately 1 mile. The entrance to the Los Banos Wildlife Area parking lot is on the left. The entrance to the wildlife area is in the southwest corner of the parking lot.

About the area: The Los Banos Wildlife Area is a 5,586 acre mosaic of seasonal and permanent wetlands, grasslands, and riparian areas. It was founded in 1929 and is the oldest state wildlife area in California. All public roads are graveled, but during wet weather conditions, they can sometimes be muddy. Please observe area regulations and drive only on roads open to the public. All other roads are open to foot and bicycle traffic. The entrance fee is $2.50 unless you possess a valid California hunting or fishing license. The area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from mid-February to September 15. During the waterfowl hunting season (mid-October through January on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays only), birdwatching is limited to a special trail that takes hikers to a spot where they can peer out into the Buttonwillow Lakes, which are closed to hunting. It’s not uncommon to view over 15,000 ducks and geese on the Buttonwillows. For any additional information about the Los Banos Wildlife Area, contact the Los Banos Wildlife Complex main office at (209) 826-0463.

O'Neill Forebay Wildlife Area

Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 117, D6). From Fresno, take Highway 99 to Highway 152 and stay on 152 through Los Banos to Highway 33, about three miles past I-5. Turn right onto Highway 33 and continue northbound approx 2-3 miles to the wildlife area parking lot on the left (west) side of Hwy 33. There is a directional road sign on Hwy 33 pointing to the parking lot. Driving time: 1.5 - 1.75 hours from Fresno.

About the area: The O'Neill Forebay Wildlife Area is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources and operated by the California Department of Fish and Game. The wildlife area is a 700-acre parcel, comprised of ten miles of meandering riparian habitat, with four small ponds, intermixed with shrub-grassland and some cultivated crops. The area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the exception of the second weekend in November and the first weekend in December during special junior pheasant hunts. Access is by foot only. There is no charge for access, however all visitors must register at the self-registration booth in the parking lot. For any additional information about the O'Neill Forebay Wildlife Area, contact the Los Banos Wildlife Complex main office at (209) 826-0463.

San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area

Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p. 117, D5). From Fresno, take Highway 99 to Hwy 152 and continue on 152 through Los Banos. From Los Banos, continue west on Hwy 152 approx. 21 miles to the San Luis Reservoir/Dinosaur Point turn-off on the left. Turn left and continue to the San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area Parking Lot. Driving time: 1.75 - 2 hours from Fresno.

About the area: The San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area is an 870-acre parcel located on the south side of Hwy 152 in the Pacheco Pass area. The wildlife area is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources and operated by the California Department of Fish and Game. The habitat is steep oak-grassland. This is a good place to view wildflowers in the spring. The area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access is by foot only. There is no charge for access, however all visitors must register at the self-registration booth in the parking lot. For any additional information about the San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area, contact the Los Banos Wildlife Complex main office at (209) 826-0463.

Upper Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area

Directions: (DeLorme Northern California Atlas, p.117, D5). From Fresno, take Highway 99 to Hwy 152 and continue on 152 through Los Banos. From Los Banos, continue west on Hwy 152 approx. 18 miles and turn right into the Upper Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area parking lot on the right (north) side of Hwy 152. Driving time: 1.75 - 2 hours from Fresno.

About the area: The Upper Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area is a 4,000 acre parcel of steep Oak-grassland habitat typical of the higher areas in the interior coast range. The area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no charge for access, however all visitors must register at the self-registration booth in the parking lot. On opening weekend of general deer season all entrance to the area will be by specially-issued permits only. Access is by foot only. For any additional information about the Upper Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area, contact the Los Banos Wildlife Complex main office at (209) 826-0463.

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.

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

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.

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.