All of the Stanislaus Audubon Society Fieldtrips are open to the public. Fieldtrips will include a combination of walking and driving. Read the trip description for details. No pets are allowed. Children must be under direct parental supervision at all times. Bring binoculars, birding field guides, water, lunch, suntan lotion, insect repellant, and any other personal items that you feel you need. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Also be prepared to assist the drivers with fuel costs and any entry fees. Occasionally restroom facilities are not available, but the leader will know the location of the nearest restrooms. If you have any questions contact Bill Amundsen at 521-8256 or birdscouter@prodigy.net. If you any ideas for future fieldtrips contact Bill.

FIELDTRIPS TO SAN JOAQUIN RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE: Stanislaus Audubon Society organizes monthly fieldtrips to San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge located west of Modesto. Most of these trips are driving, but we may walk up to two miles on dirt roads. These trips will meet in the parking lot behind Stanislaus County Library, 15th and I Streets in Modesto at 7:00 A.M., Upcoming trip dates to the refuge are: Saturday, January 17; Sunday, February 15; Sunday, March 15; Saturday, April18; Sunday, May 17; Saturday, June 20; Sunday, July 19; Saturday, August 15; Sunday, September 20; Saturday, October 17.

GENERAL FIELDTRIPS:

Sunday, January 11; Cosumnes River Preserve Meet at 7:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15th and G St. in Modesto Trip Leader: TBA This area is an excellent place to bird all year. In winter there are large areas of open water with large numbers of water birds, in addition to the grassland and riparian woodland areas.

Saturday, January 24; Bobcat Ranch Meet at 6:30 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15th and G St. in Modesto Trip Leader: Dave Froba This is a recently purchased area near Winters. Stanislaus Audubon contributed a portion of the purchase price. Let’s go see what it looks like.

Sunday, February 1; Caswell State Park Meet at 7:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15th and G St. in Modesto Trip Leader: TBA This is a good place to find wintering forest loving birds.

Saturday, February 7; Merced National Wildlife Refuge Meet at 7:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15th and G St. in Modesto Trip Leader: TBA This refuge is an excellent place to see wintering waterfowl, particularly geese. There are almost always a few examples of the blue forms of Snow and Ross’s Geese.

Saturday, March 7; Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge and environs Meet at 6:00 A.M. behind the Stanislaus County Library; 15th and G St. in Modesto Trip Leader: TBA