Field Trip:​ Raptor Ramble

Cost: Free/Adult Chaperone $15/Youth 
​Date/Time: Sunday, 11/10/19 @ 8:00AM-12:00PM
Meeting Spot: Swan Central, Feather River Academy 1895 Lassen Blvd, Yuba City
Level: Hike/Car Tour (2)
Duration: 5.5 hours
Driving Miles: 45 one way

Register

Description

​​On this half-day trip, we’re going to search for as many raptor species as possible. This is a great time of year to see wintering raptors in the Sacramento Valley and we’ll see a lot of them and learn about their amazing adaptations that help them be such successful predators!  Habitats searched will include flooded rice fields, oak/grassland savannah, and some riparian corridors. We’ll certainly see a lot of 
bird species , including Perigrine Falcons, swans, geese, ducks, White-faced Ibis, various species of sparrows and other songbirds, and maybe some Sandhill Crane​

Field Trip Leaders

Special note about the field trip​

A special note about Field Trips Please arrive at the location indicated 30 minutes prior to your scheduled event. This will allow us time to check you in and ensure the trip leaves promptly. We ask that you follow your field trip leader from the meeting location to the final destination. Anyone arriving after the field trip leader has left may not be able to join the group. Most field trips will be limited to the first 20 reservations. Walk-in registration may be available for some events during the weekend of the Festival. Weather may change a trip's itinerary, but most trips will be conducted rain or shine. The weather in the valley during January is variable. It is generally cold and sometimes rainy, with daytime highs ranging from 50F to 65F. Be sure to bring the following on your field trips: rain gear, waterproof footwear, layered clothing, binoculars, water and sack lunch. A sack lunch can be ordered when registering online. Please also check out the Tips & Etiquette below to help you enjoy your day to the fullest.

Tips & Etiquette for bird watchers

To make your trip more enjoyable for yourself and others, we ask you to please use these following etiquette tips:

• Wear clothing suitable for the weather and area you'll be hiking in. It's practical to layer clothing to accommodate fluctuations in temperature. Wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip and are waterproof when necessary. You may want to take sunscreen, a hat or rain gear.
• Bring binoculars or a scope for a better viewing experience.
• Bring water on long outings to stay hydrated.
• Bring a Field Guide if you are interested in learning more about the birds you see. If you are a beginning birder, look for a guide that specializes in birds of northern California.
• Be courteous to other explorers. Stay with your group and pay attention to your trip leader. Walk quietly and slowly. Do not disrupt animals or damage their habitats (breaking branches, trampling vegetation). Turn off cell phones or other electronic devices. If you are taking children with you, explain to them proper etiquette before the trip. Always behave in a manner that will enhance the image of the birding communities in the eyes of the public.
• Tune up your senses and listen carefully. Scan the horizon and tree canopies. Look to the ground for prints, feathers and other traces of wildlife. Please remove litter and leave natural items where they belong. This will keep it enjoyable for others when they visit.
• No dogs or pets allowed on any California Swan Festival event, workshop, or program. Please leave Fido with friends or family and not in the car during a field trip.