California Swan Festival

Come celebrate the wildlife and habitats of our abundant Northern Sacramento Valley!

Highlights:

Guided tours for birders and families
Kid’s Activities
Live animal presentations from West Coast Falconry, Wild Things, and NorCal Bats
Unique and interesting presenters, film showing of Yuba Water Agency’s “The Tricky Yuba”
Vendors and Exhibitors

Schedule of Events:

Tours:

The Swan Festival will have a variety of tours for all interest levels and ages. Enjoy bird-watching tours, explore the beauty of local flora and fauna, hike in the mysterious Sutter Buttes volcanic range, visit a local rice farm, or get an introduction to birding.

Tour registration and departure will take place at the Swan Festival Hub at Yuba College, Marysville, CA.

Click Here To Register For Tours

Schedule:

Birding Beale Air Force Base:

Beale AFB tour registration will end October 29th to allow for military staff to fully vet all participants. This is rare opportunity to look for birds on Beale Air Force Base. Department of Defense facilities preserve some of best remaining habitats in the U.S. and Beale is a great example. The base includes one of largest and best-preserved areas of Central Valley grassland, a habitat under severe threat from urban development and conversion to agriculture. A base biologist will accompany us as we search the grasslands for Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, and several other raptor species, maybe even a Bald or Golden Eagle. Falcons may include American Kestrel, Merlin, and Prairie Falcon. Horned Larks and Western Meadowlarks should be abundant. Surprises like Mountain Bluebirds are also possible this time of year. We will also visit some large ponds that can harbor several species of waterfowl and an oak riparian zone with its own suite of typical species. The trip will be by carpool/small buses with multiple short stops and one short walk on flat ground. If there’s enough time, we may drive by some other points of interest on the base, including an SR71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft that flew over Mach 3!

Important Note: The tour group will be required to check-in at the Schneider gate where Security Forces will check IDs. Vehicles will be left in the parking lot and participants will load onto buses for base entry. Once on the bus, the tour will head out to Miller Lake and Upper Blackwelder. The tour will also have an opportunity to visit the SR71 or U2 display. To gain access to the base, each adult participant must provide their full legal name, social security number, date of birth, and driver’s license number at least 1 week prior to the event for pre-screening. Participants must also provide a Real ID or two forms of ID (birth certificate, social security card, driver’s license, or passport) to enter the base. Participants over age 16 must have a current photo ID to show base security personnel. Any and all weapons and/or drugs brought on base is considered a federal crime.

Leaders: Tamara Gallentine (Beale AFB), Elsa Chen (CSU-CEMML), and Lilly Douglas (USFWS1

Tour # 301
Bus with light walkiing
Time: 7:30am - Noon
Meet: Swan Festival Hub – Yuba College, 2088 N Beale Rd, Marysville, CA
Difficulty: 2
Limit: 26 people
Cost: $20/adult, $10/youth, $10/kids
Registration Closes Oct 30th

Sutter Buttes East Ridge Hike on Shaeffer Ranch & Wine Tasting:

This is a rare opportunity to gain access to the Sutter Buttes, the smallest mountain range in the world! The Shaeffer Family will host hikers to explore this ranch, on the north side of the Buttes, that has been in the same family since the 1860’s. Depending on visibility, the hike will include views of North Butte, Peace Valley, and an old Titan Missile site. In this beautiful oak grassland habitat, possible bird sightings include Golden Eagle, Phainopepla, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, Varied Thrush, and many other winter visitors. The rock formations and the geology of this part of the Buttes is amazing. Be sure to bring binoculars, lunch, water, sturdy boots/shoes, and hiking sticks, if you have them. No early departures on this trip. After the hike, the leaders will provide an optional visit to the nearby Cordi Winery for wine tasting! Wine tasting is an additional $10/person, paid directly to Cordi Winery.

Leader: Ty Shaeffer

Tour # 302
Hike
Time: 8:00am - 2:30pm
Meet: Swan Festival Hub – Yuba College, 2088 N Beale Rd, Marysville, CA
Difficulty: 2
Limit: 20
Cost: $35/person (Not recommended for children 12 years and under)

Swan Tour:

Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.

Leader: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist

Tour # 303
Car Tour
Time: 8:00 - 10:30am
Meet: Swan tour staging area, address available upon tour registration
Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: 2
Limit: 10 vehicles
Cost: $20/adult, $10/youth, Free/kids

Exploring State Parks Peace Valley:

An exciting opportunity to venture into the California State Parks Peace Valley property and learn about the natural and cultural history of the site while climbing to higher elevations to gain a whole new perspective from above, with expansive views of the valley farmland below.

Leader: California State Parks Natural Resource Staff

Tour # 304
Hike
Time: 8:15 - 3:00pm
Meet: Swan Festival Hub – Yuba College, 2088 N Beale Rd, Marysville, CA
Duration: 6.75 hours
Difficulty: 4
Limit: 10 vehicles
Cost: $25/adult, $10/youth, $10/kids

Wildlife and Water:

Blue Ruby Farm is an ecologically conscious farm that is integrating water management strategies to provide critical habitat for all life, including humans! Observe the farms water catchment system and other water management techniques implemented on the land to conserve, reuse, and restore water on the landscape. While enjoying a light stroll around the property we will see what birds may be migrating through our 5-acre pond and look at how beavers manage flows in the creek. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to walk on uneven ground. Bring a bagged lunch or indulge in a locally catered lunch at an additional cost of $20/person, to include sandwiches with local bread, meats, and cheeses.

Note: Be sure to check out the associated presentation by guide, Paul Ladeira, “Water and Climate: The Science and Art of Water Cycle Restoration” from 9:00-10:15am on Sunday, November 10th at the Swan Festival Hub, Yuba College.

Visit Farm Stay in Northern CA - Blue Ruby Farm - Working Farm for more information.

Leader: Paul Ladeira

Tour #308
Walk and Lunch
Time: 10:30am - 2:00pm
Meet: Swan Festival Hub – Yuba College, 2088 N Beale Rd, Marysville, CA
Difficulty: 3
Limit: 12 people
Cost: $25/person without lunch or $45/person to include catered lunch
(Not recommended for children 12 years and under)

Swan Tour:

Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.

Leaders: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist

Tour #309
Car Tour
Times: 11:00am - 1:30pm
Meet: Swan tour staging area, address available upon tour registration
Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: 1
Limit: 25 people
Cost: $20/adult, $10/youth, Free/kids

Sunset Swan Tour:

Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.

Leaders: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist

Tour #310
Car Tour
Times: 2:30 - 5:00pm
Meet: Swan tour staging area, address available upon tour registration
Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: 1
Limit: 25 people
Cost: $20/adult, $10/youth, Free/kids

Activities, Presentations and Workshops:

The main festival “Hub” will be located at the Yuba College, in the cafeteria and theater. The “Hub” will be the tour check-in location, vendor hall, and unique speakers. The “Hub” will be offering free live animal presentations from West Coast Falconry, Wild Things, and NorCal Bats. Get up-close and personal with a variety of raptors, large reptiles, and mammals. Festival admission, including speakers, and Kid’s Zone” are free, with tours and special activities requiring a per person fee and/or pre-registration.

Schedule:

9:00 - 10:15am: Water and Climate: The Science and Art of Water Cycle Restoration

Paul Ladeira shares his years of experience as a land steward at Blue Ruby Farm in Browns Valley with key insights on resilience and water management. We’ll explore the intricate dance between water and climate and learn how we can work with nature to create positive change. This is an opportunity to understand the science behind climate solutions in a whole new way.

Presented by: Paul Ladiera of Blue Ruby Farms

Cost: Free

11:15am - 12:15pm: The Tricky Yuba - Yuba Water Agency Documentary

Sit back and enjoy a screening of the Yuba Water Agency’s documentary, “The Tricky Yuba”. Released in May 2022, the film highlights the Yuba Water Agency’s history, the reason for its formation, its significant accomplishments over the past 60+ years, and what’s next for the agency. The Yuba Water Agency’s history is a story of courage, commitment and perseverance, overcoming incredible devastation. Popcorn provided by Yuba Water Agency and available while supplies last. The film is 53 minutes long.

Cost: Free

12:30 - 1:00pm: Hmong Cultural Dancers

Koomtes Dance Academy is a team made up of 30 youths who learn the traditional art of Hmong Dancing. This kind of art is expressed through the importance of our ancestors and sisterhood. We focus on the duality of beauty and strength in the movements and challenge our dancers to push beyond their comfort mentally and physically. Being in the Koomtes Dance Academy means we create a safe space for dreamers who have compassion and the dedication to educate themselves about what it means to be a Hmong Dancer in the community. Our dancers performing today will be showcasing our newest members who are just starting their dance journey.

Presented by: Performers from the Hmong Cultural Center of Butte County

Cost: Free

2:00pm - 3:15pm: West Coast Falconry Presentation

Learn how Falconers have played a pivotal role in raptor conservation and educating the public on seeing the world through the eyes of nature’s elite predators. Get an up-close look at hawks, falcons, owls, and a young eagle. Bring your cameras and questions - West Coast Falconry will be flying birds during the presentation. Seating will be limited so please arrive early.

Presented by: Kate, Faith, and Erica

Cost: Free

3:30pm - 4:30pm: Dry Creek Restoration: Improving salmon passage, habitat, and spawning gravel

Learn about Sierra Streams Institute’s work to restore Dry Creek through spawning gravel injection in the Spenceville Wildlife and Recreation Area coupled with habitat restoration on the Beale Air Force Base. This work focuses on increasing passage for the endangered Chinook salmon, as well as improving spawning habitat in the upper watershed. Come learn what went well, what could be improved, and how we track project success.

Presenters: Monica Nova, Josh Zupan, Jeff Lauder, from Sierra Streams Institute, For more info visit Sierra Streams Institute.

Cost: Free