Natural History Wanderings

Tundra Swans photographed at Woodbridge Rd. by Sandy Steinman

The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is offering naturalist-led tours for seeing Tundra Swans in Marysville’s Rice and Waterfowl area. This is one of the best locations for seeing swans in California. Tours are  from November through January and  are co-hosted by local rice farmers and land owners. Ducks, geese, cranes, shorebirds, white pelicans, herons, egrets and raptors including bald eagles are also commonly seen in this area

Tours will be held Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. They are driving tours along a short route with very little walking required. Pre-registration is required on the DFG website, www.dfg.ca.gov/regions/2/SwanTours. Up to 30 people may register for each tour. The tours are free, but registrants are encouraged to make a donation online to the California Wildlife Foundation to support this program.

The swan tours are part of DFG’s wildlife viewing services program, which includes similar outdoors opportunities at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Yolo Basin Wildlife Area, Isenberg Crane Reserve and North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve.

For more information about the swan tours, call (916) 358-2852.