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Pixley is a non-hunting refuge. The Pixley Refuge trail is
open 365 days a year for nature observation. Please stay on the trail.
There is NO Hunting at Pixley NWR.
The Nature Trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk.
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Both subspecies of Pacific
Flyway Sandhill Cranes are found on Pixley NWR © Alison Sheehey |
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge consists of
6,833
acres of valley grassland and wetland habitats. Pixley National Wildlife
Refuge is along the eastern edge of the San Joaquin Valley just north of
Kern County.
Sandhill cranes are gone by early March and return in late
September.
Home to a small marsh and a significant portion of
valley grassland habitat. It is the best place in the southern
valley to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. Pixley supports most of the endangered
species that occur in the southern San Joaquin Valley.
The focus of Pixley Refuge is to contribute to the
recovery of targeted special status species-- the
blunt-nosed leopard lizard and Tipton’s kangaroo rat,
and provide wintering habitat for waterfowl and sandhill
cranes.
Migratory Birds
Many acres of the marshland are managed to
maximize the production of food for birds. The forage
for native birds includes; ammania, swamp timothy,
sprangle-top, and millet. Flooding of the units begins
in August and ends in March to reduce the trend toward
botulism outbreaks in summer. Occasional irrigation in
April or May helps germination. Each year aerial surveys for waterfowl and
ground surveys of shorebirds, waterbirds, and raptors
are conducted.
Threatened and Endangered Species
Grazing is used to improve habitat conditions for Tipton
kangaroo rat and blunt-nosed leopard lizard. Grassland habitat management research
will help to better define the habitat needs of
these species. The Service hopes to expand its surveying, monitoring, and research programs
for special status species.
Visitor Info
 The trail sign at the parking area has a map which
outlines the refuge boundaries and the different habitats. The trail is open
365 days a year from dawn to dusk. There is no hunting allowed on the
refuge, so if you encounter someone, please call the refuge office or CalTip
to notify the proper authorities.
The
areas behind these signs remain closed to protect the wildlife. Please
respect our furry and feathery friends and stay on the trail. THERE IS NO
HUNTING ALLOWED ON THE REFUGE. No water or trash service is available, please do not litter.
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