Stanislaus Audubon Society

Paul Bannick is an award-winning author and photographer who makes images to inspire education and conservation. Paul's new program is based upon his latest book, Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers.  He uses his intimate, yet dramatic images, up-to-date science, and first-hand narratives to explore the lives of North American woodpeckers. He compares and contrasts typical behavior and anomalies among the woodpecker species in North America, and shares their conservation outlook for the future. He explores the yearly life cycles of woodpeckers through all four seasons, including courtship, mating, and nesting in spring; fledging and feeding of young in summer; dispersal and learning independence in fall; and movements for survival in winter. His exploration of these charismatic birds and their habitats include species from the Arctic through southern Mexico, as well as those of the Caribbean Islands. Bannick’s startling images reflect their shared behaviors, as well as some surprising exceptions and adaptations. More than just backdrops, the varied habitats reveal wildly rich stories of their own. 

Register in advance for this meeting at the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  

***NOTE: this program will not be recorded.

Click here to register in advance for this Zoom meeting 

This is the fifth annual indoors “field trip” to view the masterwork of Adrew Jackson Grayson, Birds of the Pacific Slope. This ornithologist and artist was a founder of the town of Grayson in Stanislaus County, and during his life was known as the “Audubon of the West.” The 156 prints of his watercolors will be viewed in the Special Collections Department on the third floor of the Vasche Library.  This visit is limited to the first eight participants who register, and there will be a wait list.  Photo ID will be required. To register, RSVP no later than Friday, September 18 at bees2@sbcglobal.net. 

Questions about parking and the library may be directed to Mary Weppler-Van Diver at mweppler@csustan.edu.

Dos Rios State Park is a new state park, having opened officially on June 12, 2024. As of this writing, there is no entrance fee during its initial opening phase. We will meet at the entrance parking lot and bird the Oxbow Pond and a portion of the park’s extensive trail system. We should have good opportunities to see herons, egrets, cormorants and other water birds, as well as birds of riparian habitats. There is a restroom and picnic area. 

For questions, contact Xavier Sandoval at (209) 589-4107

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon is famed for its amazing variety and abundance of migratory and breeding bird species. The renowned and well-travelled birder Noah Stryker has called this refuge “my favorite birding destination on the entire planet.” Harry will explore every corner of the refuge in this program, showing you which birds will be there throughout the seasons. He will also guide you to other birding hotspots in the numerous wild areas within the ten-thousand square miles of Harney County. 

Harry Fuller is an Oregon birder and natural history author. His fourth book is Birding Harney County. The others are Freeway Birding about the I-5 corridor; The Great Gray Owl in California, Oregon, and Washington; and San Francisco’s Natural History. He leads field trips for Malheur Field Station, private clients, and birding groups. Harry is a member of Salem Audubon Society. His birding blog: ecowise.wordpress.com. (No charge to view.) Most of his working days were spent doing TV and Internet news in San Francisco.

Register in advance for this meeting at the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Click here to register in advance for this Zoom meeting 

Oakdale Recreation Area is a great birding spot at any time of year, with its combination of ponds and riparian forest. We hope to find year-round resident birds and late migrants at this park on the Stanislaus River. Oakdale Recreation Area is located on Liberini Road off of River Road, north of Highway 120 at the west end of Oakdale. Drive to the end of Liberini, past the animal shelter to the first parking area after the park entrance. A public restroom is available, and participants should bring water and snacks. 

For more information contact John Harris at jhh.birder@gmail.com

Merced National Wildlife Refuge is teeming with waterfowl and other birds in winter. Most of the birds are easily viewed, making for enjoyable and easy birding. Sandhill Cranes will have returned from their breeding areas by this date. We will meet at the kiosk and viewing platform located at the end of the entry road on the main portion of the Merced NWR. Note that this is an approximately 75-minute drive from Modesto. We will start our birding in the kiosk area and then go on the 5-mile long auto tour loop, stopping frequently to look at birds. We may also take a short walk at the Bittern Marsh trail. Participants of all skill levels are welcome and should bring binoculars, water, snacks, and insect repellant. 

For questions, please contact John Fulton at Merced_birding@hotmail.com

O’Neil Forebay is part of the San Luis State Recreation Area of the State Park System. There is a $10.00 entrance fee per vehicle. We will meet at the San Luis Reservoir Medeiros Kiosk on Donohugh Rd. W. off Highway 33 at 8:00 a.m. We will bird from the Medeiros east side of the forebay and then move to the San Luis Creek unit on the west side of the forebay. This large body of water will have gulls, egrets, a few shorebirds, grebes, and possibly loons. By this date there should be several species of waterfowl, including Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, Northern Pintail, Common Goldeneye, Lesser Scaup, and possibly Red-breasted Merganser. Raptors such as Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, and both species of eagle are possible. Bring water, lunch or snacks, and binoculars. Trip leaders will have spotting scopes, but it is useful to bring your own if you have one.

For questions, please contact John Fulton at Merced_birding@hotmail.com