Kern Refugewinter wildlife
Migrating and wintering waterfowl and other birds: the refuge's best birding months, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Auto Tour Route #1 (6.5 miles)An all-weather gravel loop open daily from sunrise to sunset, with 11 points of interest and three parking areas; stop anywhere and use your car as a blind. Closed Wednesdays and Saturdays in waterfowl hunting season, October through January
- Auto Tour Route #2 (4.3 miles)The refuge's second, shorter tour route on its visitor services map, which also marks an observation platform and a photo blind (by appointment only)
Nearby
- Merced Refuge114 mimid-September to early MarchSatSunny
- San Luis Refuge129 miJanuarySatSunny
- San Joaquin River Refuge160 miOctober to MarchSatSunny
- Point Reyes244 miDecember through mid-February, with peak viewing in mid-JanuarySatPatchy Fog then Partly Sunny
- San Diego Refuge259 micommon in the bird list's Fall (September through October) and Winter (November through February) seasons
- Sonny Bono Salton Sea Refuge288 mi2 separate phases, from Many shorebird species start returning in August
The year at Kern Refuge
- Shorebirds in large numbers on the exposed mudflats, late February and early MarchFeb–Mar
- Refuge ponds usually dry, May to AugustMay–Aug
- Best birding months: October through MarchOct–Mar
- Tour route closed Wednesdays and Saturdays in waterfowl hunting season, October through JanuaryOct–Jan
- Tule fog season in the Central Valley, ordinarily November 1 to March 31Nov–Mar
- Waterfowl numbers may peak at up to 80,000, late December and early JanuaryDec–Jan
Kern Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see winter wildlife at Kern National Wildlife Refuge?
Migrating and wintering waterfowl and other birds: the refuge's best birding months, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: Birding is best on the refuge from October through March. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it wildlife season at Kern National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual winter wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: Birding is best on the refuge from October through March, local timing.
Is there a fee?
No. There are no fees for the auto tour routes, trails, photo blinds or parking lots.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: What We Do ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is the refuge open?
All year, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. The office is open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex brochure (PDF) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I drive the tour route every day in winter?
Not on Wednesdays and Saturdays from October through January, when the route closes for the waterfowl hunting season. Cars may only use the tour route roads.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex brochure (PDF) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I walk?
Yes, on roads leading off the tour route and on minor roads and dikes not posted as closed; there are no formal nature trails. Watch for rattlesnakes on the levee roads, and keep pets leashed outside the car.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex brochure (PDF) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: What We Do ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Anything to prepare for?
Insect repellent after the late-summer flood-up, which brings mosquitoes (West Nile virus is present), and dense tule fog in winter, which can cut visibility sharply.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Kern National Wildlife Refuge?
Auto Tour Route #1 (6.5 miles): an all-weather gravel loop open daily from sunrise to sunset, with 11 points of interest and three parking areas; stop anywhere and use your car as a blind. Closed Wednesdays and Saturdays in waterfowl hunting season, October through January; Auto Tour Route #2 (4.3 miles): the refuge's second, shorter tour route on its visitor services map, which also marks an observation platform and a photo blind (by appointment only).
Are there closures or permits to know about in Kern National Wildlife Refuge?
Tour route closed Wednesdays and Saturdays in waterfowl hunting season, October through January (Oct–Jan).
What is Kern National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Best birding months: October through March (Oct–Mar), Waterfowl numbers may peak at up to 80,000, late December and early January (Dec–Jan), Shorebirds in large numbers on the exposed mudflats, late February and early March (Feb–Mar), Tour route closed Wednesdays and Saturdays in waterfowl hunting season, October through January (Oct–Jan), Refuge ponds usually dry, May to August (May–Aug) and Tule fog season in the Central Valley, ordinarily November 1 to March 31 (Nov–Mar).
How we know · Sources (5)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: What We Do (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex brochure (PDF) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kern NWR Visitor Services Map (PDF) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)