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...

Promote scientifically sound conservation strategies for the protection of native ecosystems and demonstrate the value of conservation to the community.
Educate our community about the benefits of preserving and enjoying nature, focusing on youth education programs, public outreach, and field trips.
Support research into maintaining, restoring, and understanding native ecosystems, particularly those of birds.
Collaborate with the National Audubon Society, Audubon-California, Audubon Chapters, and other organizations to accomplish our common goals.

STANISLAUS AUDUBON SOCIETY FIELD TRIPS

VALLEY OAK RECREATION AREA

10478 Rodden Road, East Oakdale

SATURDAY, June 3, 2023 8:30-10:00 a.m.

Leader: Daniel GIlman

We will do some casual birding for residents and late migrating birds. Anyone is welcome. Meet at the parking lot at 8:30 a.m. For information contact Daniel Gilman: (209) 765-9481

SATURDAY, June 17, 2023 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Leader: Eric Hopson

During these family-friendly “walks with binoculars,” we’ll be looking and listening for resident and spring migrating songbirds and waterbirds. Meet at the refuge office of the San Joaquin River N.W.R at 2714 Dairy Road near Vernalis. There are restrooms available. Participants of all skill levels are welcome. They should bring their own binoculars, water, snacks and insect repellent. For more information, please call Eric Hopson at 209-587-5532.

Daniel Gilman found a WINTER WREN at Dry Creek Regional Park on February 15, 2023. This county first record of the wren is species #329 for Stanislaus County.

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.

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!

MODESTO WATER TREATMENT FACILITY ACCESS -UPDATED MAY 30, 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 Facility page. NOTE: THE PLANT IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC FOR NOW, DUE TO FLOODING.

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:

President: John Geisler
Jim Foster
Berna Philbin
Paul Philbin
Ken Smith