Species

Updated October 23, 2026

Seasons of Wildlife

The northern Central Valley has a hot Mediterranean climate. Southerly parts that are in rain shadow zones are dry enough to be Mediterranean steppe, such as the areas around Fresno). Some areas around Bakersfield are even low-latitude desert. Tule fog is a thick ground fog that settles along the length of the Great Central Valley. Tule fog forms during the late fall and winter (California's rainy season) after the first significant rainfall. The ordinary time frame for tule fog to form is from November 1 to March 31. This phenomenon is named after the tule grass wetlands (tulares) of the Central Valley. Kern NWR is a hot spot for thousands of birds that migrate through the Pacific Flyway. Click on the following link for a complete bird list of the refuge.

Spring

As spring arrives at the refuge, the water levels begin to slowly draw down, and thousands of waterfowl have begun their journey north. The exposed mudflats in late February and early March attract large numbers of shore birds to probe for food. White-faced Ibis, Black-necked Stilts, Greater Yellow Legs, Cattle, Snowy, and Great egrets all forage on the exposed invertebrates and amphibians.

Two black-and-white shorebirds with long, orange legs wade in a marsh.

Summer

With temperatures exceeding over 100 degrees on some summer days it can be hot so be prepared. The majority of the wildlife is keeping cool during the day, so the best time to view the wildlife is in the early morning or evening when it is cooler.

A brown and white spotted lizard with a long tail climbing on rocky brown dirt — The blunt-nosed leopard lizard can be found at Pixley National Wildlife Refuge in central California.

Fall

During the fall migrating birds that use the Pacific Flyway begin to show up at the refuge. Thousands of waterfowl, mainly ducks, arrive at the refuge and utilize the habitat. Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Greater White-fronted Geese, and White Geese are just some of the waterfowl species that arrive on refuge. As the fall season goes on the number of migrating birds on refuge fluctuates as some birds continue their migration south.

A group of long-necked, long-legged birds stand in the water surrounded by marsh vegetation.

Winter

During the winter the waterfowl numbers may peak to 80,000 in December and January. Large concentrations of waterfowl can be seen foraging in the moist soil and seasonal marsh areas. "Tule" fog can become very dense and reduces visibility please be prepared. In late winter the waterfowl concentrate on storing energy for the spring migration back north.

Distant, snow-capped mountains stand behind farms while dozens of ducks feed in a marsh in the foreground.

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