According to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge web site, the refuge encompasses 10,262 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, vernal pools, and riparian areas. The gates open 30 minutes before sunrise. During our sunrise auto tour we encountered two elevated viewing platforms, a two-person birding blind, and three walking trails. The refuge estimates that as many as 20,000 Sandhill Cranes stop there each winter.
We observed many thousands of Sandhill Cranes during their dramatic and beautiful morning fly-out (we've never seen so many Sandhills before), Snow and Ross' Geese, dozens of Egrets both Great and Snowy. There were small groups of Great Blue Herons, mostly along side of the roadway; Cinnamon Teals, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, at least a thousand American Coots, and plenty of Black-Necked Stilts. There were countless other waterbirds observed. We were pleasantly surprised by seeing three Great Horned Owls, countless Hawks (mostly red-tails) and an American Kestrel.
According to a frequent visitor the first two weeks of March are amazing. We are already planning our next trip to this magical wildlife refuge.
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