| Area: 24,000 Acres | ||
| Lat: 37.068601 | ||
| Lon: 121.077576 | ||
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Sandrine Biziaux Scherson
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| San Luis Dam and Reservoir - Site # 186 | |||
| Background: | Oak-studded foothills and steep, hidden canyons surround the large reservoir and forebays. Open water and coves draw wintering bald eagles, ruddy ducks, common goldeneyes, and western grebes, binoculars may provide views of up to 100,000 ducks on the lake. Abundant shorebirds join great blue herons and snowy egrets along the marshy shore. Golden eagles and red-tailed hawks scour the upper foothills, an area that sustains meadowlarks, horned larks, gopher snakes, and endangered San Joaquin Valley kit foxes. Look for black-tailed deer at Lower Cottonwood or other grassy hillsides. | ||
| The Habitat: | Annual Grassland: 85% Oak savanna: 15% | ||
| The Experience: | Water resources make this site exceptional for wildlife viewing, especially waterfowl and migratory songbirds. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Car and boating are the best methods. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | Birds of prey and deer are seen year-round. Watch for wding birds fall through spring. High probability of seeing waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds in winter. Tule elk can be seen south of Gonzaga Rd. Easy car viewing. Several viewing areas at site. | ||
| Site Notes: | Oak-studded foothills and steep, hidden canyons surround the large reservoir and forebays. Open water and coves draw wintering bald eagles, ruddy ducks, common goldeneyes, and western grebes, binoculars may provide views of up to 100,000 ducks on the lake. Abundant shorebirds join great blue herons and snowy egrets along the marshy shore. Golden eagles and red-tailed hawks scour the upper foothills, an area that sustains meadowlarks, horned larks, gopher snakes, and endangered San Joaquin Valley kit foxes. Look for black-tailed deer at Lower Cottonwood or other grassy hillsides. | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved.  Gravel. | ||
| Roads available year-round. | |||
| Road Hazards: No | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 150 | |||
| Parking Fee: Yes | |||
| Proximity to viewing area:No special viewing area | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: No | |||
| Parking Danger: Highway 152. | |||
| Special Tips: | This site is featured in the San Joaquin River Birding Trail Map, published by Audubon California. http://www.audublog.org/?p=5295 | ||
| How to Get There: | From Interstate 5, drive west on Highway 152 about 10 miles to reservoir and forebays. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | DWR, USBR | ||
| Agency Site URL: | |||
| Physical Address: | 31426 Gonzaga Rd. Gustine, CA 95322 |
Agency 2: | 31426 Gonzaga Rd. Gustine, CA 95322 |
| Manager Phone: | |||
| Site Phone: | (209) 826-1196 | ||
| County: | Merced | ||
| Addition Website: | http://www.audublog.org/?p=5295 | ||