Please limit your sign-ups to 2 WEEKEND trips per month.

Before signing up for this trip, please take a moment to read our trip policies and view our liability waiver.

MEMBERS ONLY: Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Northern Pintail by Raechel Lee

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. Scopes recommended. To read more about this location, read SCVAS’s self-guided field trip: Merced NWR: A Crane and Waterfowl Wonderland!

Optional: Pack your own lunch/snack and we'll picnic together during the trip

Trip Difficulty: minimal walking, this is an auto tour

Other Trip Notes: Everyone attending a trip must be fully vaccinated. This trip requires carpooling once on site. The carpool will be limited to 4 cars with 4 people each (this includes the leaders’ car). Passengers must remain in the vehicle they select at the beginning of the tour. Birding will be done from the vehicles unless we are in areas where exiting is permitted.

Cancellations: Cancel by Jan 3 for full refund. Rain cancels, with refund.

Waitlist: If this trip is full and you would like to be on a waiting list, please email fieldtrips@scvas.org

Leaders: Dave and Floy Zittin (408) 253-3258

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 lot, no fees

Banner Photo: Northern Pintail by Raechel Lee

Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvas.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.