South County
Mavis Stouffer Park
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Description of the Area
Named after Mavis Stouffer, a long-time resident of Rip, this delightful, unassuming riparian park offers picnicking and serene strolls along the Stanislaus River. It borders Army Corps of Engineers land to the south and the Spring Creek Golf Club on the north. There are restrooms.
How to Get There
From Highway 99, take the Main St exit in Ripon. Follow E Main St to S Manley Rd and turn left (north). Take the next right (east) onto Stouffer St into Mavis Stouffer Park. Follow the road as it narrows and turns right and park.
Target Birds
Year-round: Red-shouldered and Cooper’s hawks, American Kestrel, Anna’s Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Nuttall’s and Downy woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, White-throated Swift, Black Phoebe, Tree Swallow, House Wren, American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler, Spotted and California towhees, Song Sparrow, American and Lesser goldfinches.
Summer: Swainson’s Hawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Western Wood-Pewee, Northern Rough-winged and Barn swallows, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole.
Winter: Red-breasted sapsuckers, Hutton’s Vireo, Golden- and Ruby-crowned kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Fox, Lincoln’s, White- and Golden-crowned sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch.
Migrant: Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Cassin’s and Warbling vireos, Yellow, Black-throated Gray, Townsend’s, and Wilson’s warblers, Western Tanager.
Rarities: Because this site is so underbirded, there are none recorded for this park, although those shown for nearby Oak Grove Park could be reasonably expected.
EBird Hotspot Information
EBird Hotspot – Click Here
Birding At the Site
Wander the oaks in the upper park around the buildings looking for woodpeckers, vireos, warblers, and other migrants. There are two lower areas, one on your left as you drive in, which appears to be less used. It has several majestic valley oaks in the open area and mulberry trees along the river. These mulberries are irresistible for frugivores like robins, tanagers, grosbeaks, and waxwings in season. Beware of stinging nettle and poison oak here. There is a larger lower area just below the main parking area, with privets and more mulberries. Follow these with the river on your left to the end of the property (fenced). The entire park is great for sparrows in winter. Note: there is a trail through the southern fence, continuing into the ACE property. There are several dirt trails leading to the river and southward, eventually taking you to a footbridge over the Stanislaus River into Stanislaus Co. If you remain on the foot paths in San Joaquin Co under the freeway, they will lead you to Oak Grove Park/Ripon—but that’s a long hike!
More Information
Timing: Visit website
Parking: Available
Facilities: Restroom available
Accessibility:
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