Welcoming backyard birdwatchers and everyone interested in preserving the natural beauty of Inyo and Mono Counties, the Eastern Sierra Audubon Society is devoted to fostering a deeper appreciation of wild birds and their habitats, reaching out to youth through education, and providing a community through monthly presentations and field trips.

The Bishop Sewer Ponds are accessible by advance permission only.  The management at the Bishop Sewer Ponds asks all birders call Bishop Sewer Ponds supervisor, Dustin Shawn, on his cell phone at 760-784-1417 in advance to ask permission to bird there.  Permission will not be granted when there are workers on the birms.  Birders who don't call ahead for permission will be stopped and questioned.  Weekends are the best time for access to the ponds, as there is only one staffer and less chance of conflict with active machinery around the ponds.

If you see any hunters you are asked to call 873-5866 as they are not allowed in the sewer ponds. Signs are posted to that effect. The staff is still positive about keeping the ponds open to birders so it is in all our best interests to work with them on this. 

The Bishop Sewer Ponds are generally open 7:30AM - 4:00PM Mon-Fri and sporadically on Sat-Sun. The gates are locked and the ponds are inaccessible when treatment plant staff are not there. Caution: You will get locked in the ponds if you stay in the pond area after staff has left.