Merced National Wildlife Refuge, Nature reserve in Merced County, United States
Merced National Wildlife Refuge is a nature reserve with wetlands, native grasslands, seasonal pools, and riverside forests spread across the Central Valley of California. The land contains multiple habitats that support different types of wildlife throughout the year.
This refuge was established in 1951 to protect migratory birds during their winter stay away from human activity. Its creation was part of a larger effort to preserve habitats for waterfowl along major migration routes.
This refuge is a gathering place where migratory birds from the far north make their winter home each year. Visitors can watch large flocks of cranes and geese that fill the wetlands with movement and sound.
Visitors can explore the refuge using an auto route and several walking trails that are open from sunrise to sunset year-round. The best time to visit is autumn and winter when bird populations are at their highest.
The refuge hosts exceptionally large gatherings of cranes and geese in winter months that have traveled thousands of miles from their Arctic breeding grounds. These massive flocks use the wetlands as a critical stopping point on their annual journey.
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