Free bird watching trip for the whole family to the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge in Willows

Snow geese, among many other bird species, can also be seen in Willows. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

WILLOWS, CA (MPG) – If you’ve ever seen the movie “The Big Year,” you know how crazy serious bird watchers can be trying to see as many different species of birds as possible in a single year.

Over the past two years, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture has sponsored a variety of outdoor experiences that have been available to local residents at no charge. The program was made possible by a generous grant from the California Department of Arts and Recreation through its Outdoor Equity Program to get people outdoors and engage them in a variety of activities.

Next in our series of events is a gentle birding excursion to the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge in Willows. Participants are guided by an ornithologist, a science educator and an artist who teaches them nature sketching and outdoor journaling.

Join the bird watching expedition on Saturday November 2nd. A charter bus to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge departs at 8:30 a.m. from the Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture office at 624 E St. in Marysville

Each year, millions of waterfowl migrate to California’s Central Valley for easy access to food. Photo by Sue Graue

Next stop is the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, followed by an easy two-mile walking tour led by our resident ornithologist, artist and scientist. This is followed by a six-mile road trip with a lunch break and an art session with artist Pam Nowak.

The bus will return to Marysville between 4 and 5 p.m. Please dress appropriately for the changing weather as this ride operates rain or shine. It is recommended to bring rain gear in rainy weather, mud boots or hiking boots if it has rained, and binoculars. Pack a lunch, but snacks and water, as well as drawing and journaling materials, will be provided.

For those of you planning to drive there and meet us there, we will meet at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 752 County Road 99W, Willows at approximately 10:30 a.m

All minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must register in advance for the trip at yubasutterarts.org. Please also note that this trip is limited to residents of Yuba and Sutter counties. The excursion including transport is offered free of charge. However, there is a $20 registration fee for all participants, which will be refunded in cash on the day of the event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Anna Newman at (956) 525-2031.

So what can participants expect? Each year, millions of waterfowl migrate to California’s Central Valley, primarily because of easy access to food. The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a hotspot destination for these birds. From October to January, hundreds of thousands can easily spend their winter in the refuge. Recent species sightings include white-fronted geese, wild turkeys, sandhill cranes, yellowlegs, Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, great egrets, great blue herons and other year-round species. Tundra swans will arrive any day.

The free bird watching expedition takes place on November 2nd. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

Why is access to outdoor activities important? Nature is a public good that is critical to the health and well-being of both adults and children. Scientists estimate that every $1 spent on creating and maintaining parkways can save nearly $3 in health care alone. Additional studies show that access to parks and green spaces can increase children’s physical activity, reduce children’s stress, and improve academic performance.

Announcements regarding additional outdoor art adventures will be made later in the fall. Be sure to register for these programs in advance at yubasutterarts.org or call 530-742-ARTS (2787). An online travel preparation meeting takes place before every excursion.