NEW! To help more people have a chance at getting a spot on our very popular field trips, please limit your sign-ups to 2 trips per month.
Before signing up for this trip, please take a moment to read our trip policies and view our liability waiver.
Sandhill Cranes and White Faced Ibises by Chuq Von Rospach
Merced NWR with Matthew Dodder
$25 for SCVAS members, $35 for neighboring Audubon chapter members, $40 for non-members
Registration: Sign up early. Spots are limited to 16 (plus leaders)
Note: Cancel by Dec 1 for full refund. Rain cancels, with refund.
Description: Come explore one of the Central Valley’s winter birding jewels. Sandhill Crane, Snow, Ross’s, and Greater White-fronted Geese could number in the thousands, along with many varieties of ducks, shorebirds, and raptors. This is an auto tour around the perimeter of the refuge so it is accessible to all. Bring a lunch and we will eat together at the observation platform halfway around the loop. Scopes recommended.
Trip Difficulty: 1-2 miles, flat trails
Other Trip Notes: COVID protocol: Everyone attending a trip must be fully vaccinated. This trip requires caravaning once on site. The caravan will be limited to 4 cars with 4 people each. Passengers must remain in the vehicle they select at the beginning of the tour and wear face masks while in the car. Birding will be done from the vehicles unless we are in areas where exiting is permitted.
Leaders: Matthew Dodder (650) 868-4922
Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly Ages 10 and up
Meet: Observation deck next to main parking lot
Directions: From US-101 in Gilroy, exit 10th St/CA-152 E. Take CA-152 E for about 45 miles passing through the hills, the Central Valley, and Los Banos. After Los Banos, continue on CA-152 E for another 20 miles, then take the exit for CA-59 N. Continue on CA-59 N for 7 miles then turn left (heading west) onto Sandy Mush Rd. Continue on Sandy Mush Rd for another 7 miles to the refuge entrance on the left (south) side of the road. Continue into the park on Tour Rte Loop Rd for 0.3 miles. The parking lot and observation deck are on your right. Latitude/Longitude: 37.182496, -120.620241
Facilities: ADA accessible pit toilets in parking lot and along the auto route
Parking Type and Fees: Gravel parking lots, no fees
Carpooling. If you wish to carpool to Merced NWR, please let the trip leader know. The leader will share the names and contact info with everyone else wanting to carpool so that attendees can make carpooling arrangements directly with each other.
Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvas.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.