San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

When we arrived as the Los Banos KOA in Santa Nella, California, we learned that our campground is not far from San Luis National Wildlife Refuge.  We decided to drive over to the wildlife refuge today to enjoy what it offers.

The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian forests, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving population of the endemic tule elk is a highlight. The Refuge is host to significant assemblages of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and plants; some of which, such as the California tiger salamander, the long-horned fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox, are endangered species.  In 1966, the first parcel of the Refuge was purchased with Federal Duck Stamp funds to provide a sanctuary for migratory waterfowl. Over the years the Refuge has steadily grown in size.  The Refuge is a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. Large flocks of green-winged teal, northern shoveler, mallard, gadwall, wigeon, cinnamon teal, northern pintail, ring-necked duck, canvasback, ruddy duck, and snow, Ross’, and white-fronted geese swarm over the mosaic of seasonal and permanent wetlands that comprise a quarter of the Refuge. Waterfowl generally remain until late March before beginning their journey north to breeding areas. However, some mallard, gadwall, and cinnamon teal stay, breed, and raise young on the Refuge.  Shorebirds including sandpipers and plovers can be found in the tens of thousands from autumn through spring. Large flocks of dunlin, long-billed dowitchers, least sandpipers, and western sandpipers can be seen feeding in shallow seasonal wetlands, whereas flocks of long-billed curlews are found using both wetlands and grasslands. More than 25 species of shorebirds have been documented at the San Luis NWR.

Here we are at the entrance to the Refuge:

The San Luis NWR has played a key role in the recovery of the tule elk, a non-migratory elk subspecies found only in California. Prior to the mid-1800s, an estimated 500,000 tule elk lived in California. Due to over-hunting and loss of natural habitat, they were driven nearly to extinction by the turn of the 20th century – by some accounts, the population was reduced to as few as 20-30 individuals. In 1974 a herd of 18 animals was established in a large enclosure at the San Luis NWR and has since thrived.  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 animals.

A statute of a Tule Bull Elk graces the entrance to the Visitor Center in recognition of the significance of the Tule Elk to California and the Refuge:

Leaving the Visitor Center, we hiked the Wetland Trail, which gave us an overview of the wetland areas that the Refuge protects.  Much of it is dry, due to lack of rain so far in the Fall of 2019.  However, some apex predators have left their sign along the trail, and in this case, Kathy spotted a praying mantis picking over the vegetative elements left in some animal's scat:

After walking the Wetland Trail, we drove out around the Waterfowl Auto Tour Route.  While we were expecting to see unusual waterfowl, we were surprised that one of the first animals we spotted was this young buck resting in the prairie grass:

We eventually did find waterfowl, such as this Great White Egret --

-- but, soon after, saw another pair of deer, apparently a doe and her older fawn, grazing near the road:

Obviously, sections of the Refuge have been preserved and devoted to nuturing wildlife for some years, because we saw several old birdhouses attached to some of the largest of the few tall trees we saw in the Refuge:

Along our route, one large field boasted dozens of Lesser Sandhill Cranes:

We completed most of the Waterfowl Auto Tour and parked near the Sousa Marsh Observation Deck.  Walking out to the observation deck, we kept an eye out for mountain lions, which the Refuge warned us frequent the area.  But, along the way, we saw distinctive, dramatic views across the wetlands, ponds and canals:

At the Observation Deck, we had a panoramic view of ponds filled with coots, ducks and other waterfowl:

Completing our drive, we passed the field of Sandhill Cranes again and got a better view of a large flock:

Having completed the Waterfowl Auto Tour, we started the Tule Elk Auto Tour, and it wasn't long before we were rewarded with views of the Tule Elk.  One buck with huge antlers seemed to be lording it over a herd comprised of most of the females in the Refuge, but there were groups of other males scattered across the Tule Elk enclosure, such as this buck:

Here were some more bachelors pining away in a corner of the Enclosure away from the female herd and the Great Prince who dominated them:

Before we knew it, the afternoon was expiring.  We started our drive home, making a stop at the Romero Visitor Center to learn about the San Luis Reservoir and the role it plays in California's Central Valley Project to provide irrigation water to the farmers of the valley around us.  The sun was setting, and it reflected brilliantly off the surface of the reservoir water:

We're looking forward to a paddle on the Forebay of the San Luis Reservoir tomorrow.  Stay tuned!