U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex

San Luis / Merced / San Joaquin River / Grasslands Welcome The San Luis National Wildlife “Wild beasts and Refuge Complex (Complex)— composed of the San Luis, Merced, and San Joaquin River National are by right not Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and the the property merely Grasslands Wildlife Management Area of the people who are (WMA)—consists of nearly 45,000 acres of wetlands, alive today, but the grasslands, and riparian habitats, property of unknown as well as over 90,000 acres of generations, whose conservation easements for the protection and belongings we have no benefit of wildlife. The refuge units right to squander.” are located in the northern San —Theodore Roosevelt, American President, Joaquin Valley outdoorsman, naturalist, and leader of the of in early conservation movement Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin The San Luis Counties. NWR Complex is located between The Complex is located within the Interstate 5 and Pacific Flyway, a major route for CA Hwy 99, the migrating birds. The extensive two primary wetlands of the Complex and north-south surrounding lands provide habitat travel routes for up to a million waterfowl each in California. winter. Of the 30 species of waterfowl The Complex is using the Complex, the most common within an hour include Ross’ geese, Aleutian cackling and a half drive geese, snow geese, green-winged teal, of several major , , northern metropolitan shoveler, gadwall, American , areas in central and white-fronted geese. Large California. numbers of shorebirds and other waterbirds, songbirds, and raptors use the Complex.

Sandhill Cranes Cinnamon Teal © Rick Lewis © Jerry Baldwin Looking Back The San Luis NWR Complex natural hydrology of the Valley. Today, provides a glimpse back to a time a network of canals and ditches— when rivers and sloughs ran wild water highways—transport water across the San Joaquin Valley. from holding reservoirs to farms. The loss In the past, the banks of the San of wetland In response to the loss of critical Joaquin River and its tributaries wildlife habitat, the first National overflowed with winter rainwater habitat on the Wildlife Refuge in the northern San and spring snowmelt from the Sierra San Joaquin Joaquin Valley—Merced NWR—was Nevada mountains. As summer established for waterfowl in the progressed the sun-baked basins Valley floor 1950s. Additional land was acquired dried. Fall and winter rains recharged means that to enlarge Merced NWR and to the river and seasonal wetlands, the remaining establish other national wildlife starting the cycle all over again. refuges (San Luis NWR and San habitat must Joaquin River NWR) and the Vast expanses of freshwater marshes be intensively Grasslands WMA. made the San Joaquin Valley a haven for wildlife. For thousands of managed for Today, the loss of wetland habitat years the Valley has been a major the wildlife on the San Joaquin Valley floor wintering ground for waterfowl and means that the remaining habitat shorebirds migrating along the Pacific that depend must be intensively managed for the Flyway—an ancient super-highway on it. wildlife that depend on it. The lands for birds stretching from northern of the San Luis NWR Complex are south into Central and South managed with the primary purpose America. Historical accounts depict of benefiting wildlife. Flooding and flocks of ducks and geese large draining of wetlands are carefully enough to darken the sky. timed to the needs of migratory birds and the growth of vegetation In addition, hundreds of thousands beneficial to wildlife. Crops such as of tule roamed the grasslands, Old Windmill corn and winter wheat are cultivated along with and on the Kesterson for use by geese and cranes. This antelope. The now-extinct California Unit / San Luis intensive management gives nature a grizzly bear was a conspicuous NWR helping hand. resident of the Valley floor, and the © Lee Eastman rivers teemed with salmon.

The Spanish colonization of California in the late 1700s and subsequent American colonization in the 1800s changed the face of the San Joaquin Valley. In the late 1800s livestock ranchers began draining the lush wetlands and altering natural waterways to create a landscape more favorable to grazing. Farming also proved prosperous on the rich alluvial soils.

In the 1940s, a succession of large water projects, designed to Northern secure and store a water supply Pintails © Lee Eastman for agriculture, further altered the San Luis NWR

Tule Elk © Lee Eastman

San Luis National The San Luis National Wildlife a sanctuary Wildlife Refuge Refuge encompasses over 26,800 for migratory acres of wetlands, riparian forests, waterfowl. Over native grasslands, and vernal pools. the years the A thriving population of the endemic Refuge has tule elk is showcased by one of three steadily grown auto tour routes. The Refuge is host in size and today to significant assemblages of birds, it comprises six mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, Mallard Drake contiguous units: and Hen , and plants. Some of these— © Richard Albers San Luis, East Bear Creek, West the California tiger salamander, long- Bear Creek, Freitas, Blue Goose, and Blue-winged Teal horned fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin Kesterson. The San Joaquin River Drake and Hen kit fox—are endangered species. bisects the eastern portion of the © Rick Lewis Refuge. In 1966, the first parcel of The Refuge is a major wintering the Refuge ground and migratory stopover for was purchased large concentrations of waterfowl, with Federal shorebirds, and other waterbirds. Duck Stamp Large flocks of green-winged teal, funds to provide northern shoveler, mallard, gadwall, Elk from this herd are periodically relocated to join other tule elk herds, or establish new ones, throughout California. A true wildlife recovery success story, the statewide tule elk population has recovered to more than 4,000 .

Less well-known are the extensive upland habitats found on the Refuge. Many of these are characterized Long-billed by saline and alkaline conditions as Dowitchers wigeon, cinnamon teal, northern well as low rainfall and arid climate © Lee Eastman pintail, ring-necked duck, , that characterize the San Joaquin ruddy duck, and snow, Ross’, and Valley. These habitats support a white-fronted geese swarm over the rich botanical community of native mosaic of seasonal and permanent bunchgrasses, native and exotic wetlands that cover a quarter of the Great Egret annual grasses, forbs, and native © Mike Peters Refuge. Waterfowl generally remain shrubs. Trees, such as the valley oak, until late March before beginning cottonwood, and willow grow along their journey north to breeding areas. riparian corridors. In these areas However, some mallard, gadwall, and visitors might encounter , cinnamon teal stay, breed, and raise desert cottontail , ground young on the Refuge. squirrels, western meadowlarks, yellow-billed magpies, and loggerhead Shorebirds, including sandpipers shrikes, as well as northern harriers, and plovers, can be found in the tens white-tailed kites, and other raptors of thousands from autumn through coursing over the vegetation. Stately spring. Large flocks of dunlin, long- great blue herons, great egrets, billed dowitchers, least sandpipers, and white-faced ibis are frequently and western sandpipers feed in sighted throughout the Refuge. shallow seasonal wetlands, whereas flocks of long-billed curlews use both The Refuge contains the Complex’s wetlands and grasslands. More than Visitor Center and Headquarters, 25 species of shorebirds have been which features an exhibit hall documented at the San Luis NWR. and a classroom. The Visitor Center is The San Luis NWR played a key role open daily. in the recovery of the tule elk, a non- migratory elk subspecies found only The Refuge has in California. Prior to the mid-1800s three auto tour an estimated 500,000 tule elk lived routes with in California. Due to over-hunting nature trails and loss of natural habitat, they were and observation driven nearly to by the platforms. The turn of the twentieth century—by Refuge also some accounts, the population allows fishing at was reduced to as few as 20–30 designated sites individuals. In 1974 a herd of 18 and has a large animals was established at the San Luis NWR and has since thrived. © Rick Lewis program. Merced NWR

Ross’ and Snow Geese © Rick Lewis

Merced National The Merced National Wildlife Refuge six months. Here they mingle with Wildlife Refuge encompasses 10,258 acres of wetlands, thousands of other visiting waterfowl, native grasslands, vernal pools, waterbirds, and shorebirds—a true and riparian areas. It was winter phenomenon. established in 1951 under the Lea Act to attract wintering The Refuge also provides important waterfowl from adjacent breeding habitat for Swainson’s farmland where their foraging hawks, tri-colored blackbirds, marsh activities were causing crop wrens, , gadwall, cinnamon damage. In the last few teal, and burrowing owls. Tri- decades changes in local colored blackbirds, a colonial-nesting Burrowing Owl agricultural practices and © Richard Albers songbird, breed in colonies of more refuge management activities than 25,000 pairs in robust herbaceous have reduced crop damage vegetation. Coyotes, ground squirrels, caused by wildlife. desert cottontail rabbits, beaver, and long-tailed weasels can also be seen The Refuge plays host to the year-round. largest wintering populations of lesser Sandhill cranes Vernal pools are unique wetlands and Ross’ geese along the found on the Merced NWR. These Pacific Flyway. Each autumn special pools form from natural Lesser Sandhill more than 20,000 cranes and 60,000 shallow depressions underlaid with Crane arctic-nesting geese terminate their clay soils. The pools come to life as © Rick Lewis annual migrations from Alaska and they fill with winter rainwater. Fairy to make the Refuge home for and tadpole shrimp emerge from will have adequate nutrient stores to make their long migration. Local farmers, under agreements with the Refuge, grow these crops. The Refuge works in partnership with local ranchers and farmers on a livestock grazing program. Cattle grazing is a management tool that provides and maintains short stature Downingia grasslands and helps control invasive © Paul Prado weeds. Grazing also encourages native grasslands and the species that depend on them to thrive.

Goldfields and Cattle grazing Owl’s Clover with Lesser cysts embedded in the soils. "The © Paul Prado Sandhill Cranes endangered tiger salamander and © Paul Prado other amphibians lay eggs, which develop into tadpoles. The vast numbers of aquatic invertebrates found in these pools provide a food source for wintering and migrating birds as they prepare for the long flight north to their breeding grounds.

As spring arrives and the vernal pools evaporate, wildflowers such as goldfields, purple owl’s clover, and butter-and-eggs germinate in colorful patterns of thick rings, or halos, around the pool basins. Once the vernal pools have dried out, Downingia and Colusa grass, a rare California species, appear in the parched basins. This annual floral display of color led the naturalist John Muir to describe the valley floor as the “floweriest part of the world.”

In addition to managing natural habitats, the Merced NWR contains approximately 300 acres of cultivated corn and winter wheat crops and more than 500 acres of irrigated pasture for wildlife. Not only do these managed agricultural areas provide important sources of carbohydrates for the tens of thousands of arctic-nesting geese and Sandhill cranes that make Merced County their winter home, they also help ensure that the birds San Joaquin NWR It is estimated that 95 percent of San Joaquin The San Joaquin River National the San Joaquin Valley’s riparian National Wildlife Wildlife Refuge, located in Stanislaus woodlands were lost during the Refuge County, encompasses more than 7,000 last century due to changing land acres of riparian woodlands, wetlands, uses. This critical habitat is being and grasslands that host a diversity restored at the Refuge. Within the of wildlife native to California’s borders of the San Joaquin NWR is Central Valley. The Refuge is one of California’s largest riparian situated where three major Valley forest restoration projects. Over half rivers—San Joaquin, Tuolumne, a million native trees and shrubs and Stanislaus— join to provide a Aleutian such as willows, cottonwoods, oaks, key travel corridor for wildlife. The Cackling Geese blackberry, and rose have been © Lee Eastman Refuge was established in 1987 under planted across 2,200 acres of river the Endangered Species Act and the floodplain to create the largest block Migratory Conservation Act. of contiguous riparian woodland in the Bald Eagle San Joaquin Valley. This important © Rick Lewis The Refuge played a major role in the riparian woodland habitat is host to recovery of Aleutian cackling geese many rare animals. by serving as a significant wintering Swainson’s hawks nest in the canopy area and continues to be of major Riparian Brush of tall cottonwood trees. Herons and importance to this species. By the Kit mid-1970s, the total population of © Laurissa Hamilton cormorants form communal nesting Aleutian cackling geese was under colonies within the tops 1,000. The effort to remove nest of the large valley oaks. predators from the breeding grounds Endangered riparian brush in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands and rabbits have been re- improve wintering habitat in the introduced to this restored Central Valley resulted in the goose habitat from captive- being delisted as an endangered reared populations. These species with a population well over woodlands also support 100,000 and growing. Restored a diversity of breeding wetlands along with grasslands and songbirds including grosbeaks, croplands at this refuge provides ideal orioles, flycatchers, and warblers, wintering habitat for the geese. as well as the least Bell’s vireo, an endangered species that last nested in the San Joaquin Valley more than five decades ago.

The Refuge features the 4-mile Pelican Nature Trail that meanders through seasonal wetlands, restored riparian woodlands, and stands of old-growth valley oak trees. The trailhead includes an educational seven-acre native vegetation free- roam exploration area.

A wildlife viewing platform along Beckwith Road is a favorite location for viewing Aleutian cackling geese and other waterbirds from October Riparian Corridor through March. © Lee Eastman Grasslands WMA

Grasslands The Grasslands Wildlife Management Wildlife Area was established by the U.S. Management Fish and Wildlife Service in 1979. Area This WMA is composed of privately owned lands with perpetual conservation easements designed to preserve wetland and grassland habitats, and prevent conversion to croplands, urban development, or other uses not compatible with migratory Cinnamon Teal bird and other wildlife values. © Paul Prado The Service provides technical The purchase of many of these assistance to Grasslands WMA conservation easements was landowners. Many are trying to made possible by the Migratory manage their wetland's water Bird Conservation Fund (Duck supplies more efficiently; others are Stamp Fund). searching for ways to grow larger, Green-winged more diverse stands of moist soil food Teal The majority of easement plants to attract waterfowl; and some © Mike Peters properties are wetlands managed are looking for ways to improve their for waterfowl hunting. Daily waterfowl hunting opportunities. management operations remain under the landowner's control. To In 1990 the Service initiated the date, more than 90,000 acres have Partners for Fish and Wildlife been protected under conservation cost-share program, which pays easements. landowners to accomplish approved wetland restoration and enhancement These wetlands support diverse projects on their property. Due to tremendous landowner interest, the habitats, including seasonally-flooded Great Horned program has grown each year. The marshlands, semi-permanent marsh, Owl riparian habitat, wet meadows, vernal © Paul Prado Partners Program offers landowners pools, native uplands, pastures, and within the WMA the opportunity native grasslands. to perform wildlife habitat improvements they might not be able to afford without assistance.

These private landowner/Service Sora Rail partnerships have resulted in keeping © Paul Prado waterfowl and other wildlife common. Degraded habitats have been restored for the benefit of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, and for promoting recreational activities such as waterfowl hunting and wildlife observation. Northern Pintails © Mike Peters Wildlife at the Complex Kestrel © Rick Lewis

Drake © Paul Prado

Common Yellowthroat © Rick Lewis

Muskrat © Rick Lewis

Flame Skimmer Dragonfly © Paul Prado

White Pelicans © Rick Lewis © Rick Lewis

Western Fence Lizard © Paul Prado Habitats at the Complex water-loving vegetation such as cattail The Complex contains all of the and bulrush, and provide ideal nesting representative habitats found in the habitat for coots, grebes, blackbirds, northern San Joaquin Valley. All bitterns, ibis, and marsh wrens. refuge units are located adjacent Seasonal marshes are the prevalent to the San Joaquin River and its wetland type throughout the Complex. tributaries, with highly variable They contain water from early- habitats ranging from hydric (wet) to autumn through spring. Dominant xeric (dry) conditions. The Complex vegetation include swamp timothy, California Quail smartweed, millet, dock, and sedges— and neighboring lands feature © Paul Prado the largest network of freshwater all of which provide a valuable food wetlands remaining in the San source for wildlife. Seasonal wetlands Joaquin Valley. attract large numbers of ducks, geese, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. Riparian Riparian habitats, along rivers and Woodlands sloughs, largely consist of woodlands Grasslands Uplands at the Complex comprise dominated by willows, cottonwoods, three-quarters of the land base and oaks. With their multi-layered and include grasslands and structure, these woodlands provide croplands. Many of the nesting habitat for colonial-nesting dominant grasses in the San waterbirds such as egrets, herons, Joaquin Valley are exotics that and cormorants, as well as many are difficult to eliminate. The species of raptors. The largest density Complex encourages three of breeding songbirds are found common native perennial here. These habitats also serve as grasses, creeping wild rye, salt movement corridors for many wildlife grass, and alkali sacaton. The in the Central Valley. uplands provide habitat for a Western host of herbivorous wildlife including Meadowlark Wetlands A quarter of all Complex lands are © Paul Prado elk, black-tailed deer, desert cottontail wetlands. These include permanent rabbits, black-tailed jackrabbits, and marshes, which contain water year- voles. Common songbirds include round and are dominated by robust western meadowlarks, savannah sparrows, and horned larks.

Vernal Pools Vernal pools are home to specialized plants and animals adapted to the alternating wet/dry regime. The aquatic insects and crustaceans that live in the pools are a rich food source for waterbirds. As they dry during late spring, concentric rings of colorful flowers grow in halos around the pool edges. Many of the invertebrates then retreat deep into the mud to wait for the next rainy season. In late fall and early winter, as the pools fill, the invertebrates emerge again. Most vernal pools on the Complex are found at the Kesterson and West Bear Creek Units of the San Luis NWR and the Vernal Pools Arena Plains and Snobird Units of the © Carolyn Ramsey Merced NWR. Management Staff at the San Luis NWR Complex the Complex. These wetland units must actively manage each refuge support a tremendous variety and unit to enhance habitat conditions abundance of waterbirds. Most of the and promote wildlife. Proactive wetlands are managed as moist soil management is necessary due to units where important food plants, past changes to the northern San in particular smartweed, watergrass, Joaquin Valley, such as loss of habitats sedge, and swamp timothy, are grown and species, alterations to natural as forage for waterbirds. Seasonal hydrology, and the introduction of wetlands are drained in spring, exotic plants and animals. irrigated once or twice during the early summer, and flooded in late The Complex monitors plant and summer and early autumn. The distributions and abundances, careful timing of flooding and draining and the success of management wetlands encourages the key wetland programs. Waterbird and songbird plants to grow, and coincides with bird surveys are routinely conducted. Less migration. Most wetland units are well-known techniques employed to flooded when waterbirds are using the study certain wildlife species include Central Valley. In addition to seasonal remote camera stations, spotlight wetlands, the Complex also maintains surveys, bird banding stations, and a smaller number of year-round search dog scenting surveys. permanent wetlands and summer wetlands for breeding waterbirds. The San Luis NWR Complex works with partners to reintroduce certain Riparian woodlands are key wildlife locally extirpated species to its refuge travel corridors for many species and units. Black-tailed deer have been provide unique breeding sites for reintroduced and can be viewed along many migratory birds. The Complex riparian corridors of the San Luis restores fallow agricultural lands NWR. The endangered riparian brush to riparian woodlands or native rabbit has been re-established on the grasslands and wetlands. Restoring San Joaquin River NWR with captive- riparian woodlands includes planting a bred rabbits. The program has been variety of woody species—willow, ash, successful; native-born rabbits are and cottonwoods—and irrigating the now found on the Refuge. first few years.

Artificial dens and other structures Periodic disturbance of senescent, or are constructed to benefit wildlife with aging, stands of woodland is necessary very specific needs. These include nest to provide conditions suitable for boxes for songbirds, owls, and wood regeneration. ducks, buried culverts for kit fox dens, raised mounds to provide high ground Grasslands are the most common for small mammals during floods, habitat at the Complex. These and islands in wetlands for nesting or habitats support geese, cranes, roosting waterfowl. Significant effort songbirds, elk, raptors, and a host goes into habitat management and of other wildlife. Grasslands are restoration at the Complex. managed by a variety of techniques including prescribed burning, An extensive infrastructure of grazing, mowing, and disking. Native water conveyance canals, water grasslands are restored by seeding control structures, pumps, and wells prepared ground with native grass are required to manage the 150+ species and/or planting grass plugs. Prescribed Burn individual wetland units or ponds at USFWS Enjoy Your Visit rating under the Leadership in Wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, Energy and Environmental Design photography, and environmental (LEED) program. The Complex is education are all popular activities striving to produce all energy used at the Complex. Except during the by the facility via solar panels. The waterfowl hunting season, public use Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 areas are open one-half hour before a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except holidays, sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. and may be open for extended hours seasonally. Visitor Center The San Luis NWR Complex Visitor Center and Headquarters, located Wildlife The San Luis NWR Complex offers on the San Luis NWR, includes an Observation a variety of ways to experience a exhibit hall with interactive exhibits, diversity of wildlife. Auto tour routes tule elk viewing, a multi-purpose allow you to remain in your car, using room for conservation meetings it as a “blind” to observe wildlife and educational programs, and is throughout various habitats. Auto tour the administrative headquarters for routes include elevated observation the Complex. The Visitor Center decks with spotting scopes for provides a focal point for visitors, even closer views of wildlife, and and a launching point to explore the interpretive panels with information Great Blue entire Refuge Complex. The facility about wildlife, habitats, and refuge Heron Rookery management. Nature trails allow you © Lee Eastman was designed for environmental sustainability and energy to get out of your car and experience efficiency with a Platinum nature and wildlife up-close. Photography Whether exploring on an auto tour route or a nature trail, you are encouraged to bring binoculars, field guides, and cameras to more fully enjoy the wildlife you encounter.

There are endless opportunities for wildlife photography. Your vehicle can serve as an excellent photo blind.

Environmental The Complex acts as an important Education and outdoor laboratory for school field Interpretation trips. By exploring the refuges, classes of all ages integrate the natural world into their classroom lessons. The Visitor Center’s indoor classroom, outdoor amphitheater, and wetland are well suited to host quality curriculum-based field trips. Guided field trips are by appointment only— please phone for details. School Group © Richard Albers Look for information kiosks, elevated viewing platforms, and interpretive panels along the auto tour routes and nature trails to help you understand the importance of Valley wildlife. Waterfowl The San Luis NWR Complex has Hunting a longstanding waterfowl hunting program with diverse opportunities for waterfowl hunting, including free-roam, hunting from blinds, and hunting by boat. The hunting program is cooperatively administered by the California Department of Fish and Game. A daily permit is required to hunt at the Complex. Information about seasons and bag limits, license Young and stamp requirements can be found Sportsman © Gary Kramer in annual Federal and State regulation guides. © Rick Lewis

Fishing Designated areas of the San Luis Explore San Luis The San Luis NWR provides a NWR, San Luis Unit, are open to NWR Waterfowl Auto Tour route (8.5 miles) fishing during daylight hours. The and a Tule Elk Auto Tour route (5 most common species caught are miles). The Waterfowl route takes channel catfish, bullhead catfish, you through seasonal wetlands where striped bass, and black bass. All you may see large concentrations anglers must have a current fishing of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other license with proper stamps. waterbirds. Interpretive panels along the Tule Elk route tell the story of Volunteers Volunteers are critical to the this unique subspecies, endemic to management of our wildlife and California, that nearly went extinct habitats. You can in the late 1800s. Elk are visible enjoy a productive throughout the year. and rewarding experience as a Two nature trails launch from the volunteer with visitor center: the Upland Trail (.5 mi.) the U.S. Fish and and the Wetland/Riparian Trail (1 mi.). Wildlife Service. Situated along the auto tour routes Contact the are the Chester Marsh Trail (1 mi.), Complex office for Volunteer USFWS the Sousa Marsh Trail (1 mi.), and the information. Winton Marsh Trail (.5 mi.). Tule Elk Cow Group Programs Special tours and speaking programs with Calf The Chester Marsh Trail takes you are available to schools, clubs, © Karl Stromayer to a historic ferry crossing on the and groups when they can be San Joaquin River. It is open from Lesser Sandhill accommodated—please contact the February 15 through September 15. Cranes Complex office with any requests. © Lee Eastman The Sousa Marsh Trail includes an elevated observation platform overlooking one of the largest wetlands on the Refuge, with spectacular waterbird viewing fall through spring.

The Winton Marsh Trail meanders around a permanent wetland, and has an elevated observation platform. Explore West At the West Bear Creek Unit you will Bear Creek Unit find an auto tour route of 2.5 mi. and Tips to help you enjoy your visit ■ San Luis NWR two nature trails: the Marsh Bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras Trail (1.3 mi.) and the Woody Pond ■ Share the experience—visit the Refuge with a friend Trail (1.75 mi.). ■ Attend a group program or tour ■ Contact the Complex for recent wildlife sightings The auto tour route winds through ■ Respect other visitors’ viewing opportunities and around a rich mosaic of riparian ■ Minimize disturbance to wildlife woodlands, seasonal wetlands, and ■ Remain in your vehicle on auto tour routes native grasslands, where you may see ■ Park vehicles only in designated parking areas scores of waterfowl and other wildlife. ■ Keep noise levels to a minimum ■ Please remove all trash The Raccoon Marsh and Woody ■ All pets must be on leash Pond trails offer opportunities to see Monarch waterbirds in fall through spring, and NO Butterfly ■ Collecting plants, plant parts, or mushrooms © Lee Eastman native songbirds and mammals during the dry summer months. ■ Feeding wildlife ■ Horseback riding Explore Kesterson The Kesterson Unit contains a portion ■ Camping, campfires, or cooking grills Unit of the historic San Joaquin River ■ Bicycles on nature trails or auto tour routes San Luis NWR floodplain, and is home to a unique © Rick Lewis community of plants and animals a short grassland loop, home to many adapted to its alkaline soils. different songbirds that are very vocal during the spring nesting season. This Unit is unique in that it offers Various raptor species are visible in “free-roam” nature hiking throughout. the nearby native cottonwood trees. However, there is no auto tour route The Cottonwood Trail on the north at Kesterson and the Unit is only open side of the Refuge meanders through to the general public from February a dense stand of trees and terminates 15 through September 15, when the at an elevated observation platform waterfowl hunting season is closed. with excellent views of geese and Ground Squirrel cranes from fall through early spring. Explore Merced The Merced NWR offers an auto © Rick Lewis NWR tour route (5 mi.) and four nature Explore San At the San Joaquin River NWR trails: the Meadowlark Trail (1.5 Joaquin River visitors can explore the Pelican mi.), the Bittern Marsh Trail (1 mi.), NWR Nature Trail (4 mi.), and the Beckwith the Kestrel Trail (.5 mi.), and the Viewing Platform off Beckwith Road. Cottonwood Trail (1.5 mi.). The Pelican Nature Trail meanders The auto tour route loops around through seasonal wetlands, restored seasonal wetlands and upland riparian woodlands, and stands of grasslands for views of thousands of old-growth valley oak trees. The Ross’ geese and lesser Sandhill cranes trailhead includes an educational during the fall and winter, along with seven-acre native vegetation free- a diverse concentration of dabbling roam exploration area. ducks and shorebirds. The Beckwith observation platform The Bittern Marsh Trail is a serene is open October through March, and tree-lined loop around a permanent overlooks Refuge agricultural fields wetland where you may see and and grasslands that provide forage for American hear marsh birds and the occasional thousands of Aleutian cackling geese Bittern great-horned owl. The Kestrel Trail is © Richard Albers and lesser Sandhill cranes. Nature’s Calendar

January ■ Numbers peak for geese, cranes, and ducks ■ Wetlands fully flooded ■ Foggy weather prevails ■ Bald eagles often observed hunting on refuges ■ Waterfowl hunting season ends

February ■ Tule elk bulls shed antlers ■ Great-horned owls hatching ■ Hawks exhibiting aerial courtship displays ■ Large numbers of wintering Black-tailed Deer Bucks © Karl Stromayer waterfowl and cranes visible

■ Waterfowl begin migrating north March August ■ Swainson's hawks have fledged and ■ Vernal pool wildflowers begin will form "kettles" over grasslands blooming ■ Irrigated pastures attract ibis and ■ Hawks and herons nesting long-billed curlews ■ Tule elk bulls sprouting new ■ Tule elk rut and bugling peaks antlers covered in velvet ■ Shorebird numbers building September ■ Tule elk rut continues ■ Sandhill cranes begin returning ■ April Songbirds are migrating mid-month ■ Wildflowers are abundant around ■ Songbirds and cinnamon teal vernal pools migrate south ■ Tule elk cows begin giving birth to ■ Valley oaks drop their acorns calves ■ Seasonal wetlands are drained to October ■ Aleutian cackling geese arrive at allow waterbird food plants to grow San Joaquin River NWR ■ Peak number of shorebirds ■ Waterfowl hunting season opens ■ Tule elk still in harems and ■ May Shorebirds are migrating in bachelor herds breeding plumage ■ Crane Day at Merced NWR ■ Songbirds are very vocal defending nesting territories November ■ Over 15,000 Sandhill cranes are in ■ Wildflowers still spectacular the Grasslands by Thanksgiving ■ Ross’ and white-fronted geese ■ June Tule elk antlers fully grown with arrive velvet falling off ■ Shorebirds migrate north December ■ Snow geese begin to arrive at ■ Seasonal wetlands are dry Merced NWR ■ Songbird and raptor fledglings are ■ Swans may arrive in small numbers visible by month's end ■ Watch for eagles, falcons, and ■ July Tule elk breeding rut begins ferruginous hawks ■ Seasonal wetlands are irrigated to ■ Black-tailed deer can be spotted at encourage waterbird food plants to the San Luis NWR throughout the thrive year, most often at the West Bear ■ Fall shorebird migration begins Creek Unit © Rick Lewis San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

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Restrooms Parking Restrooms 0 0.5 1 2 Miles Observation Platform Parking 0 1 2 Kilometers Nature Trail Observation Platform Auto Tour Route 0 0.5 1 2Miles Nature Trail Refuge Boundary Refuge Boundary 0 1 2 Kilometers San Luis NWR Complex P.O. Box 2176 Los Banos, CA 93635 209/826 3508 http://www.fws.gov/sanluis Visitor Center Hours: Daily 8:00 am–4:30 pm (closed holidays)

Federal Relay Service for the hearing impaired 1 800/877 8339

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD http://www.fws.gov

May 2011

Tule Elk © Lee Eastman