STANISLAUS AUDUBON SOCIETY

OUR MISSION

The Stanislaus Audubon Society promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and protection of birds and other wildlife by engaging people of all ages in birding, education, and conservation. For more information please visit the Chapter Information Page.
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To accomplish this mission we will...

NEW STANISLAUS COUNTY BIRD SPECIES  SIGHTING

During a non-public access survey on April 17, 2022,  Harold Reeve spotted an immature male BLACK SCOTER among American Coots at the Modesto Wastewater Treatment Facility. Sharon Reeve and Kathy Rasmussen were also present to record this rarity.  Black Scoter is now  Stanislaus County bird species #327.

RECENT NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE SAN JOAQUIN RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 

As of January 16, 2023, the Pelican Nature Trail and parking lot are closed to the public until further notice, due to the flooding caused by the recent storms and subsequent damage to the trails. The observation deck on Beckwith Road, however, is still open to the public for viewing of the wintering waterfowl, which will be in the area until returning to their breeding grounds in March.


REQUEST FOR AUDUBON- GRAYSON SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS

 

The founder of the town of Grayson in Stanislaus County was Andrew Jackson Grayson, a self-taught ornithologist and bird artist known in the 19th century as “Audubon of the West.” After fundraising, our chapter purchased an edition of Grayson’s Birds of the Pacific Slope. In 2016, our chapter donated that two-volume masterwork to the Vasche Library of Stan State. In 2017, our chapter established an annual Audubon-Grayson Scholarship of $600 to a promising student of Environmental Sciences at Stan State. This scholarship was eventually increased to $1,000. The Board of Directors is once again asking our members to consider making a directed contribution to that scholarship, so that it may continue into perpetuity. Those of you wishing to do so can send a check made out to “Stanislaus Audubon Society,” with “Audubon-Grayson Scholarship” on the memo line, to P.O. Box 4012, Modesto, CA 95352.  This gift is tax-deductible.

 


AUDUBON ZOOM PROGRAM

MY FAVORITE BIRD IS A…

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2023

7:00 P.M.

NOTE THE NEW WEEKDAY!

 

David Yee of Stockton will use the frequently asked question, "What is your favorite bird?" as a way of describing some of his most favorite birding experiences. David started birding at age ten and by high school, birding had become his passion.  He attended U.C. Santa Cruz majoring in Biology, with bird science as his focus.  David became a chemist, but birding has always remained his passion—and according to his wife Sue, his obsession. David is considered one of the premier birders and field ornithologists in San Joaquin County and all of the San Joaquin Valley. He is the author of The Annotated Checklist of the Birds of San Joaquin County.  David has travelled throughout most of California, and across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and Southeast Asia in pursuit of birds. He is a past president of San Joaquin Audubon, the Central Valley Bird Club, and Western Field Ornithologists.  David and Sue helped to start the Central Valley Birding Symposium in 1997, and he continues to serve on its steering committee.  (P.S. Your host may ask you about your favorite bird.) Join Zoom Meeting

 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81776137260?pwd=c0tyN2FFekNxeUxMZjJrbTRjVit5dz09


 

PASEO DE CAMPO SOCIEDAD AUDUBON DE ESTANISLAO

Sabado, 18 de Febrero de 2023

8-10 a.m.

Guía Principal: Xavier Sandoval

Ayudante: Salvatore Salerno

 

Durante este paseo familiar con binoculares, estaremos buscando y escuchando por especies de aves que habitan el área durante todo el año, como también especies migratorias. Estaremos uniéndonos en el estacionamiento del Pamela Monterosso Trail en la intersección de Coffee Road y Scenic Drive en Modesto. Participantes en todos niveles de conocimiento sobres aves son invitados. Se requieren binoculares, una guía de campo y agua.  

 

 

ADDED-ON STANISLAUS AUDUBON SOCIETY FIELD TRIP

Saturday, February 18, 2023

8-10 a.m.

Field Trip leader: Xavier Sandoval

Co-leader: Salvatore Salerno

 

During this family-friendly “walk with binoculars,” we will be looking and listening for species of birds that are here year-round, as well as overwintering birds. Meet at the Pamela Monterosso Trailhead parking lot at Coffee Road and Scenic Drive in Modesto. Participants of all skill levels are invited. They should bring binoculars, field guide and water.



CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

IN CONJUNCTION WITH STANISLAUS AUDUBON

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023    11:00 A.M.


Knights Ferry (17968 Covered Bridge Rd)

Leader: CeCe Hurst-Hart

 

Explore early blooming wildflowers with us February 25th at 11am in Knights Ferry and the surrounding countryside. We will meet in the southern parking lot at Knights Ferry Recreation Area to explore the early blooming flowers and other early spring wildlife! Afterwards we will drive down Willms road to see the roadside blooms and large swaths of white meadowfoam and popcorn flowers in the vernal pools. 


All ages welcome! Please bring lunch, water and binoculars if you have them! To RSVP for this trip, please email cnps.nsj@gmail.com



AUDUBON CALIFORNIA SUCCESS 

Audubon California is thrilled to report that in 2021, 100% of the thirteen Tricolored Blackbird colonies located on agricultural fields across the San Joaquin Valley in California were protected! Colonies ranged in size from an estimated 1,200 to over 30,000 birds. During the last year, the nesting season began and ended earlier than past years, likely an effect of statewide drought conditions. In years of drought, a successful program is even more crucial to the conservation of the state listed Tricolored Blackbird. Working closely with partners, Audubon California protected more than 170,000 birds on these colonies. Each spring and summer, Audubon California works with landowners and community partners to protect this species across the state. We are grateful to our agricultural partners Western United Dairies, Farm Bureau, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and our Audubon community. Together, since 2015, we have been able to protect over 800,000 nesting Tricolored Blackbirds. Thank you for all your continued membership commitment, support, and engagement! 

BIRD PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Tricolored Blackbird at the Merced NWR by Jim Gain

MODESTO WATER TREATMENT FACILITY ACCESS -UPDATED FEBRUARY 6, 2023

The Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant of the City of Modesto is once again open for bird watching by appointment only. They are making the plant accessible to the public on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, as well as the second Saturday of each month. The staff contact is Roxanne Lujan at birdwatching@modestogov.com. For more details, go to the  Modesto Wastewater Treatment Facilitypage.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL INFORMATION

$20 per year - Use forms from National Audubon Society

Renew at www.audubon.org/renew

S.A.S. chapter code is C36. The expiration date of your membership is located on the mailing label of Valley Habitat.

OUR HISTORY

The first official charter of the National Audubon Society in the San Joaquin Valley, the San Joaquin Audubon Society, included Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties. In 1973, Audubon members living in Merced and Stanislaus Counties decided to pursue the formation of their own unique chapter. On August 1, 1976, National Audubon awarded Stanislaus Audubon Society a full charter, which to this day includes hundreds of members in Stanislaus and Merced Counties. 

The first governing board consisted of: