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BIRDING TRIPS IN MARIPOSA COUNTY AND VICINITY
and Some Unusual Birds to Be Seen There
By: Yosemite Area Audubon*
1. On the back streets of Mariposa
look for Lewis's Woodpecker. Twenty bird species were seen
near Mariposa Elementary School in about an hour in January.
You may want to combine birding with a self guided tour of
historic downtown Mariposa. Free maps are available.
2. In the spring the Yellow Breasted
Chat, Hutton's Vireo, Orange-crowned warbler and Lazuli
Bunting have been seen on Miller Road, across Highway #140
from the Best Western Motel.
3. Walk around the Mariposa County
Fairgrounds then across the road north to the pond and on to
the Stockton Creek Bridge. About 40 species were seen in
this general area in January, including Wood Ducks and the
American Dipper.
4. An all day trip back in time,
through ranch lands with very few houses or cars, is the
White Rock Road trip. It is also a good trip in wild flower
season. Look for Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Road Runners
and a large variety of other species.
One can continue down to La Grand on
White Rock Road, turn right on Santa Fe Ave., then back on
Highway #140 to Mariposa.
5. For a longer trip which includes
water fowl, drive through the historic town of Raymond and
on to Eastman Lake (about 100 miles round trip). From town
take Hwy. #49 South 1.1 mi., turn right on Old Highway 5.6
mi., to White Rock Road (unpaved) 8 miles, turn left on West
Westfall Road 6.5 miles, turn left on Preston Road 3 mi.,
then turn right on Road #613 7 miles to Raymond, continue
through town to the dirt road #607 (across from the road to
Knowles) turn right, then 7 miles to the end, turn right to
Eastman Lake 3 mi. To return go back to Raymond and take
#613 to Ben Hur Road and on to Mariposa. Mileage is
estimated.
Birds of Mariposa
Foothills
*Yosemite Area Audubon welcomes
visitors to their meetings at 7 P.M. on the second Thursday
of the month from Oct. though May. Birding trips are on the
second Saturday.
Please consult the local newspaper or
phone 966-2915 for locations of the meetings and trips.
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