|
BAKERSFIELD
AND THE SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA
Bakersfield is the county seat for Kern County, California. It is
situated in the southern San Joaquin Valley, the bread basket of the
world. Agriculture, oil, and urban
sprawl are the cornerstones of the San Joaquin Valley economy.
The
tallest mountain in California, Mt.
Whitney, is the source of the magnificent Kern River which runs
through the center of town. Within 100
miles in any direction
an amazing diversity of entertainment possibilities abound.
Oceans, deserts, mountains, Hollywood, wild and scenic rivers,
giant Sequoia groves, and many more
amenities are to be found within a short drive. Bakersfield has its
own impressive array of activities.
Centennial Garden in downtown Bakersfield offers many sporting
venues, world class concerts, comedy performances, and Broadway
productions. Many small dinner theaters
and specialty restaurants are available
throughout town.
Bakersfield is in the Pacific time
zone (PST). The yearly average temperature
is 65.4º F with an average low of 53.2ºF and an average high of
77.7ºF. The coolest month is December with an average low of 38.3ºF
and an average high of 56.5ºF. The warmest month is July with an
average low of 69.6ºF and an average high of 98.5ºF. Average rainfall in
is 5.7 inches per year. The rainy season begins in November and
continues sporadically until April. Depending on rainfall, Bakersfield
may be surrounded in a layer of tule fog from November to
March, so bring layers
to dress in, including rain gear. Bakersfield averages 191 clear
days and 93 overcast days, the others are partly cloudy.
Northeast of Bakersfield lies the Kern
River Valley, where tens of thousands of Turkey Vultures migrate
each year. The mountains surrounding the
San Joaquin Valley are home to the rarest of jewels, the California
Condor. The Westside of Kern County is the winter home
to hundreds of raptors. Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is an
hour north and is the winter home to thousands of Sandhill Cranes
and other bird life.
One major problem with the area is the fact that the southern San
Joaquin Valley is one of the most polluted areas in the United
States. Local politicians are not troubled by this distinction and
continue to allow industry and developers to blanket the valley with
more concrete and buildings unchecked. Many of the local citizenry
find that they may play havoc in the personal lives' of others but
find it appalling that their destructive and polluting activities
might be regulated. There are many people in Kern County that fight
to keep society regulated while allowing personal choice for the
individual but these good Samaritans are generally disregarded by
local politicians and media.
BIRDING IN BAKERSFIELD
Westside
Kern Water Bank - Found on the western edge of Bakersfield near
I-5. Good birding is found at this site
when water is present although access is limited. Contact Cheryl Harding (661) 391-3702 for information.
City of
Bakersfield Water Resources Dept. 2800 acres Recharge Area – A fantastic riparian
marsh is what the City of Bakersfield has created in their water recharge effort. Egrets,
waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, kingfisher, quail, gnatcatchers, flycatchers,
passerines,
and so much more live in the area. When the area has water it is almost as good as the
national wildlife refuge, and it is within the boundary of the City of Bakersfield. The
area can be reached off of Hwy 43 (Enos Lane), where it crosses the Kern River just north
of Panama Lane. Turn onto the dirt road and park. Hike into the area beyond the fence.
Please call
Mr. Pat Hauptman Bakersfield DWR,
in advance for permission. (661) 326-3715
Kern River Parkway - Bakersfield area - The parkway is located along the Kern
River between Manor Street and the CSUB campus and offers 10 miles of scenic bike path for
birders, hikers, bicyclers, joggers, and roller blading. The newest section of the bike
path is northeast of town and runs along the Kern River from Hart Park past the Kern
County Soccer Park, California Living Museum and goes to Lake Ming. Eventually the bike
path will stretch from Buena Vista Lake to the mouth of the Kern River Canyon. The
following are places along the valley portion of the Kern River where birders can gain
access. All along the bike path no permission is necessary to gain access, but below CSUB
you need permission to trespass.
Local Parks
Bakersfield Educational Studies Area - This area has many acres of
valley grassland and riparian habitat. Acorn Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Turkey
Vultures, and Red-tailed Hawks can be seen almost every day. Access off of Coffee Rd. and
Truxtun or from CSUB.
Lake Truxtun - Parking is available on Truxtun Extension at Mohawk St. Ring-billed
Gulls (winter), Caspian Tern (summer), Pied-billed Grebe, and many shallow and deep-water species use this
lake and the nearby river. Rose-ringed Parakeets frequent the cottonwoods near
the parking lot.
Beale Park
- This park is home to many from the naturalized flock of
Rose-ringed Parakeets.
Yokuts
Park - This new park is located off Truxtun Ext. to Empire Dr.
Beach Park
- An older park along 21st St. and Oak St.
Pin Oak Park -
This park has two wetland areas that provide an amazing
diversity of bird life. A checklist of the birds of Pin Oak Park can be found at
http://natureali.org/pin_oak.htm.
Elm St. - Take 24th St. to Elm St. Head towards the river. A small park on Elm St.
has a footbridge crossing a canal that runs parallel to the river. Observe Kingfisher,
egrets, gulls, and Osprey.
Kern County Water Agency - Explore the KC Water Agency ponds off of Rio Mirada Dr.
Take Buck Owens Blvd. (Pierce Rd.) to Rio Mirada Dr. drive to water agency offices and ask
to bird the property.
Riverview Park - Take Airport Dr. to -right- Roberts Lane to -right- Oildale Drive
to -left- Willow Dr. to Riverview Park. This is the easiest place to access the Kern River
west of Chester Ave. Bridge.
Manor Street - Hwy 178 to Union head north towards Bakersfield College - Just past
Columbus Ave. Union reaches a Y in the road - veer to the left heading downhill as the
road changes into Manor St. Take a left at the light at Delores St. into the Bike Path
parking area.
Panorama Park - Overlooking the Kern River and the Kern River oilfields many
raptors ride the thermals along the bluffs. Hwy 178 to Union head north towards
Bakersfield College - Just past Columbus Ave. Union reaches a Y in the road - veer to the
right heading uphill - road changes into Panorama Dr. Continue on Panorama and park along
the road.
China Grade Loop / Gordon's Ferry - From Hwy 99 - take the Hwy 58 / 178 exit - turn
right onto Hwy 178 / 24th St. Drive east to Mt. Vernon Ave. exit - left onto Mt. Vernon -
1.3 miles to the Intersection with Panorama Dr. continue straight as Mt. Vernon becomes
Alfred Harrell Hwy - near the bottom of the hill take the road to the left heading towards
Oildale. Take the first left and park on the side of the road by Darrell's Mini Storage.
Heritage Park - Mt. Vernon Avenue and Bernard Street. This older park
gets a lot of downslope winter migrants, one of the few places in winter that
Mountain Chickadee can occasionally be found.
Northeast Side
Hart Memorial Park - The
showcase for Bakersfield Birding - Hart Park is located along the Kern River. For 25 years
the Bakersfield Christmas Bird Count has been centered at Hart Park. This CBC averages ±
140 species each year.
DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 99 - take the Hwy 58 / 178 exit - turn right onto Hwy 178 / 24th
St. Drive east to Mt. Vernon Ave. exit - left onto Mt. Vernon - 1.3 miles to the
Intersection with Panorama Dr. continue straight as Mt. Vernon becomes Alfred Harrell Hwy
- continue 8 miles to the park entrance.
Lake Ming - The last large
body of water before the mouth of the Kern Canyon. Bald Eagles winter here and migrating
waterfowl inhabit the lake and the river nearby. 1999/2000 have had over 100 Great Egrets,
a remarkable number, throughout the winter. Great-tailed Grackle by the hundreds roost
here at night. Look early in the morning and late in the afternoon for the birds returning
from their daily foraging.
DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 99 - take the Hwy 58 / 178 exit - turn right onto Hwy 178 / 24th
St. Drive east to Alfred Harrell Hwy. Turn left and drive 3 miles to the first stop sign.
Turn right - drive down to the lake and explore the lake and the campground.
Rancheria Road - A small dirt parking area on the south side of Rancheria Rd.
bridge leads to a river trail that is not maintained. Look for wood ducks and other
waterfowl floating on the water up and downstream of the bridge. Pygmy Nuthatches have
been observed in the cottonwoods and oaks along the river during winter.
DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 178 east toward the mouth of the canyon, as you head down a fairly
steep hill notice a road that turns left at the base. This is Rancheria Rd.
Kern Canyon - Along Hwy. 178 just inside the canyon -
Canyon Wrens and Rufous-crowned Sparrows are found on the rocky hillsides. Look for White-throated Swifts
flying above the canyon. American Dippers can frequently be seen diving from the rocks into the rapids.
DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 178
east into the canyon - park safely in turnouts (people drive way too fast in the
canyon BEWARE).
Southeast Side
Mount Vernon Sewer Ponds – Take the Mount Vernon Ave. exit off of Hwy 58.
Regular visitors include waterfowl, shorebirds, cattle egrets, Peregrine Falcon. Access is limited,
you must call for access. Wastewater Division at (661) 326-3249
DIRECTIONS: Hwy 58 east, take the Mt. Vernon exit, turn right (south) and drive
approximately one mile. Turn right and check-in at the office
|
