BirdWatching USA – September-October 2019

52

http://www.BirdWatchingDaily.com/hotspotsmap

Located next to the newest

University of California

campus, Lake Yosemite

Regional Park’s diverse habitats

make it a near cross-section of

Merced County. When birding

the eucalyptus grove during the

spring and summer, keep an

eye out for nesting Great

Horned Owls, Ash-throated

Flycatchers, and Bullock’s

Orioles. During migration

seasons, the oak and willow

groves host warblers, vireos,

and f lycatchers. The lake itself

is a haven for deep-water birds

including Common Goldeneye,

Clark’s and Eared Grebes,

American White Pelican, Herring Gull, and Caspian Tern. Osprey are

common year-round, and a pair of Bald Eagles winter annually, usually

perched in a eucalyptus tree on the north shore.

Meanwhile, the grasslands surrounding the park are prime habitat for

Long-billed Curlew (sometimes in the hundreds), Prairie Falcon, Burrowing

Owl, and Horned Lark. During wet years, an ephemeral pond adjacent to

the park hosts shorebirds and nesting Cinnamon Teal. Swainson’s Hawks

can be seen during spring and summer. Next to the entrance, a small

marsh-like section adjacent to an irrigation canal can host Song Sparrow,

Marsh Wren, and Sora. — Nathan Parmeter

Nathan Parmeter, a birder originally from Fresno, California, is a graduate

student at the University of Maryland, College Park.

sites nearby

Fahrens Park

5 miles southwest of Lake Yosemite.

A suburban park where Green Heron,

Wood Duck, Red-shouldered Hawk,

Red-breasted Sapsucker, and winter

sparrows are reliable. Also good for

migrant warblers and flycatchers.

Merced National Wildlife Refuge

17 miles southwest of lake. During

winter and spring, ducks, Sandhill

Cranes, Greater White-Fronted, Snow,

and Ross’s Geese and many other

birds congregate in huge numbers.

Lake Yosemite Regional Park surrounds the Lake Yosemite reservoir near Merced. From

Merced, which is located between Modesto and Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley, take

G St. north to Bellevue Rd. and turn right. Go 2 miles to Lake Rd., turn left, and continue

for about half a mile into the park.

AT A GLANCE

HABITAT

Deep-water manmade lake, open grasslands,

ephemeral ponds, light woodlands, irrigation

canals with some riparian areas.

TERRAIN

Flat. Most of the core part of park accessible

by car, and whole park can be walked.

BIRDS

More than 140 species. Year-round: Clark’s

Grebe, Snowy Egret, Loggerhead Shrike,

Nuttall’s Woodpecker, California Scrub-Jay,

Common Raven, Rock Wren, Lesser Goldfinch,

Savannah Sparrow, Western Meadowlark.

Winter: Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Eared

Grebe, Greater Yellowlegs, Red-breasted

Sapsucker, Say’s Phoebe, Hermit Thrush,

Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler.

Breeding: Swainson’s Hawk, Ash-throated

Flycatcher, Bullock’s Oriole, Black-headed

Grosbeak. Migration: Warbling Vireo, Wilson’s

and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Western

Tanager. Rare: Cackling Goose, Common

Loon, Forster’s Tern, Lesser Nighthawk.

WHEN TO GO

Good year-round; best mid-March to May and

mid-September to February.

AMENITIES

Drinking fountains, restrooms, and picnic

tables. A boardwalk next to the main picnic

area allows for easier viewing of the northern

portion of the lake.

ACCESS

County park. Automobile entrance fee of $6.

Open from sunrise to sunset.

TIPS

Wear sunscreen and have a hat from March

through November. During winter, be careful

when driving to the park on foggy mornings.

A spotting scope is recommended to view the

northern part of the lake and the surrounding

grasslands from the park.

FOR MORE INFO

Lake Yosemite County Park, http://www.co.merced.

ca.us/769/Lake-Yosemite. Fresno Audubon

Society, http://www.fresnoaudubon.org.

Lake Yosemite

Regional Park

Merced

G^ St

Bellevue Rd

Lak

e (^) Rd
E Yosemite Ave
To Modesto
To Fresno
99
99
59
140
2000ft500m
no.
295
lake yosemite regional park
merced county, california
37°22'13.83"N 120°25'54.82"W