Even without the headliner birds I described in the pervious post Merced National Wildlife Refuge provides some excellent birding. Much of the refuge isn’t accessible to the public, and much of what is accessible can only be enjoyed from inside an automobile. Visitors can drive dirt roads along a series of levies adjacent to the wetlands, but are prohibited from leaving their cars. The good thing about that is that birds fear cars less than they fear people, allowing closer approach from a car. So anyway, here are a few photos:
![](https://onebreathkohala.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ibis2_dxo.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://onebreathkohala.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/stilts3_dxo.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://onebreathkohala.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shovelers_dxo.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://onebreathkohala.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/dabbling2_dxo.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://onebreathkohala.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/pintail2_dxo.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://onebreathkohala.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/pipit1_dxo.jpg?w=1024)
![](https://onebreathkohala.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/egrethunts2_dxo.jpg?w=1000)
![](https://onebreathkohala.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/killdeer1_dxo.jpg?w=1024)
The refuge was also rich in raptors, but I’ll leave that for another post.