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.
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.
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS (CBC) COVID-STYLE
Saturday, December 19th is the date for the NEW Socially-distanced La Grange/Waterford Christmas Bird Count. Based on guidelines issued from the National Audubon Society new procedures will be in place for the upcoming La Grange/Waterford CBC. Please visit the La Grange/Waterford CBC page for details.
UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS - DIY
CONCEPT:
The concept is to introduce a local birding site to the participants and discuss a selection of birds that can be found there. Then the participants will have until the next session, usually the second Wednesday after the previous session, to visit the location at their convenience, following proper COVID-19 precautions. At the next online session, participants will have the opportunity to share out their experiences with others. That session’s field trip leader, usually another birder, will then discuss the next location and target birds.
For more details see the Field Trips page.
NEW - Sagebrush Sparrow
Sagebrush Sparrow, a rare visitor to Stanislaus County, has been observed along Cooperstown Rd lately. For more detailed information about this special visitor, please visit the Sagebrush Sparrow page.
STANISLAUS AUDUBON SOCIETY REQUESTS DONATIONS 12/22/2018
The Board of Directors is requesting donations from the members of our local Audubon chapter. One targeted need is for the A.J. Grayson Scholarship, given yearly to a promising student in Environmental Sciences at C.S.U. Stanislaus. The last of the $600 scholarships will be awarded in the spring of 2019. We hope to continue this scholarship for the next five years, at a cost of $3,000.
The second targeted need is to cover the printing and postage costs of The Valley Habitat. Even though membership dues to National Audubon can cover part of those costs, we are still mailing 400+ printed copies every two months, at an expense of approximately $2,500 per year. We also pay stipends for program presenters, and we have other outgoing costs as well.
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation, please send a check to Stanislaus Audubon Society, P.O. Box 4012, Modesto, CA 95352. You will receive a receipt of acknowledgment.
ACCESS UPDATE TO THE MODESTO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
IMPORTANT NOTICE: During the current COVID-19 crisis, access is still allowed as long as visitors are masked and practice social distancing.
The Modesto Ponds are open to birders only on the second Saturday of every month. You must make an appointment at least 5 days in advance by calling 209-342-4501 or (preferably) by emailing Patricia Becerra at pbecerra@modestogov.com AND Ben Koehler at bkoehler@modestogov.com.
Open Dates for the remainder of 2020:
11/14 (notify by 11/10)
12/12 (notify by 12/8)
Upon receiving permission, you will meet the operator at the gate at 8:00 a.m. You will then fill out the Liability Release Form when you sign in, and then pick up a map which clearly identifies the areas open to the public. Speed limit is 25 mph. Do not cross any bridge with a vehicle. The hours of birding are 8:00 -3:00 p.m. The location of the facility is 7007 Jennings Road. The operator phone on Saturday is 209-652-8662.
ANDREW JACKSON GRAYSON, 'BIRDS OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE'
On July 12, 2016, Stanislaus Audubon Society donated "Birds of the Pacific Slope" to the Vasche Library at California State University, Stanislaus. The two-volume set of Andrew Jackson Grayson's work, consisting of his biography, field notes, and 156 watercolor prints, is housed in Special Collections. Members of the public can view these volumes by calling Special Collections (209-664-6538) or Circulation Coordinator (209-664-6561) and making an appointment to see them.
You can read the tragic saga of this "Audubon of the West" by going to "Sal's Articles" link under CHAPTER INFO.
RECENT RARE BIRD SIGHTINGS
Sagebrush Sparrow
Date: Latest Sighting 10/24/20 https://ebird.org/checklist/S75358658
Location: Cooperstown Rd
Vermilion Flycatcher
Date: Latest Sighting 10/24/20 https://ebird.org/checklist/S75378359
Location:Dawson Lake, Stanislaus, California, United States
Short-eared Owl
Date: 10/21/20 https://ebird.org/checklist/S75200255
Location:San Joaquin River NWR, Stanislaus, California, United States
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
Stanislaus Audubon Society has started a Facebook page for Stanislaus and Merced County birders to share comments and photos on birds and birding.
* MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL INFORMATION
$20 per year
*Use forms from National Audubon Society
*Call N.A.S. at 1-844-428-3826
* 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, the 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 members in both Merced and Stanislaus counties.
The first governing board consisted of:
President: John Geisler
Jim Foster
Berna Philbin
Paul Philbin
Ken Smith