A flock of migratory waterfowl lifts off from flooded rice fields in Sutter County at sunset. The annual California Swan Festival held Nov. 12-15, celebrates the return of tundra swans and other wintering birds to the Sacramento Valley’s wetlands and farmlands. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

YUBA-SUTTER, CA (MPG) - As thousands of migratory swans make their annual journey to the Sacramento Valley, residents will have an opportunity to witness the spectacle firsthand during the California Swan Festival, returning Nov. 12-15.

Hosted by the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust (SBRLT), the four-day festival celebrates the region's wildlife, natural landscapes and agricultural heritage through guided excursions, birdwatching opportunities and outdoor adventures.

This year's festival will feature up to 16 guided tours throughout the Yuba-Sutter region, offering participants opportunities to observe wintering tundra swans, explore the Sutter Buttes, visit working farms and discover native wildlife alongside local guides.

Unlike previous years, the festival will not feature a central gathering hub or indoor presentations. Instead, organizers are shifting their focus to outdoor experiences, allowing land trust staff and board members to join participants in the field.

"When there is a central hub, staff and Board members have to be stationed there instead of going out on hikes with our fellow community members," said Casey Nielsen, SBRLT administrative assistant and outreach coordinator. "We felt that this allows SBRLT to connect with the community we serve on a deeper level."

While the organization may reinstate the central hub as its staff and volunteer base grows, this year's festival will focus primarily on guided outdoor experiences.

One of the festival's main attractions is the opportunity to observe tundra swans that travel thousands of miles from their Arctic breeding grounds to winter in California's Central Valley. The region's flooded rice fields provide important feeding and resting habitats for the migratory birds, attracting swans, geese, ducks and numerous other species along the Pacific Flyway.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife naturalists will lead several swan-viewing excursions through Yuba County's agricultural wetlands, including morning, afternoon and sunset tours. The vehicle-based outings require little walking, making them accessible to a wide range of participants.

Other excursions will take visitors beyond the wetlands and into some of the region's less accessible landscapes. Guided hikes through the Sutter Buttes include visits to Shaeffer Ranch, Peace Valley and the historic Dean Place cattle ranch, providing opportunities to explore oak woodlands, volcanic formations and areas not generally open to the public.

A birdwatching tour at Beale Air Force Base will offer participants an opportunity to explore its preserved grassland habitats while searching for hawks, eagles, falcons and other wildlife. Additional excursions include birdwatching at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, visits to local nature preserves and a tour of Montna Farms, where participants can learn how rice farming supports migratory waterfowl.

The festival's official kickoff celebration will take place Friday, Nov. 13 at 4:30 p.m. at Munger Family Vineyard in Sutter. This marks the first year the vineyard, located at the base of the Sutter Buttes, will host the celebration.

"We felt it would be the perfect place to begin our festival, since the yearly arrival of swans and other waterfowl is rooted in this region's unique ecology and agricultural practices," Nielsen said. "We are very grateful to the Munger family for their support of this festival and SBRLT's mission."

The evening will feature local food, wine, a silent auction and a presentation titled "Seasons of the Swan," featuring Shelly Covert, spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, and Jon Munger, president of Montna Farms.

Covert will explore Indigenous stories and cultural connections to waterfowl, water and the landscape, while Munger will discuss how modern rice farming and conservation efforts provide habitat for migratory birds.

The silent auction will include Sacramento Kings tickets, a Sacramento River cruise experience and a railbike excursion in Fort Bragg, among other donated experiences.

The festival also serves as a fundraiser for the land trust, supporting its conservation efforts, daily operations and future community events. All festival activities require registration, with ticket proceeds supporting the organization's mission.

Tour prices and physical requirements vary, with some excursions involving strenuous hiking and others offering easy walking or vehicle-based wildlife viewing.

Registration is open through Nov. 11, subject to availability. The Beale Air Force Base tour requires earlier registration by Oct. 30 due to security screening requirements.

For additional information, tour schedules and tickets, visit http://www.caswanfestival.org or contact the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust at 530-755-3568.