Past Festivals

2023

The 2023 Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway spread its wings and flew to success with the sights, sounds, and wonders of birds!

On beautiful sunny winter days, except for a rainy Sunday morning, attendees viewed and got up close and personal with the geese, ducks, cranes, herons, egrets, ibis, swans, songbirds, and raptors in all their natural splendor.

We were glad to bring back the Saturday night “Gathering of Wings” banquet & silent auction. Always a magical night, especially with an exceptional speaker, Julie Rentner, president of River Partners.

Patrick Ranch Museum was a perfect fit with the addition this year of 15 exhibitors and the free family activities.

Birding memories were made that will last a lifetime and many found a new passion like no other: Birds & Birding!

Some highlights of the 2023 Snow Goose Festival

  • NEW (2nd year) Snow Goose Festival Headquarters, Patrick Ranch Museum: a delightful and birdy venue
  • 151 bird species sighted or heard
  • Butte County Big Day field trip species count 114, with the added rare sighting of the Long-tailed Duck on the Feather River
  • Special films, Urban Owl, and Refuge, by a film maker, Mark Lipman, at the Museum of Northern California Art “For the Love of Birds” Snow Goose Festival Art Exhibit, January 27 – March 19
  • 18 Outstanding, Dedicated, and Generous Sponsors
  • 709 total registrants
  • 90 California cities represented, and people came from 8 other states which includes: Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington
  • 67 field trips were offered, and one workshop, most sold out.
  • 76 excellent and experienced field trips leaders and workshop presenters, who volunteered their time and energy
  • We had awesome volunteers, the “Super Snow Goosers” of the festival, Trish, Tom, Zachary, Debbie, Amber, Celeste, Lollie, Morgan, Cathy, Sue, John, Carla, Terri, Hilary, Maria, Colette, Diana, Satsie, Jan, Liz, Calvin, Kasey, Claire, John, Karen Lisa, Cathy, Sami, Shi Fae, Dhoua, Richard, Renee, David, Cindy, and the National Charity League-Mother/Daughter volunteer teams, plus a great crew who also helped with the family and youth activities
  • Staff was outstanding (Jennifer, Mary, Cathy, Jared)

2022

The 2022 Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway soared to success with the Sights, Sounds, and Wonders of Birds!

Centered in Chico, California the festival expanded out to include field trips to Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Colusa and Sutter Counties. With the current challenges due to the ongoing pandemic, it was a great way for people to connect outdoors one of the safer places to be. With exceptional sunny winter days all during the festival, attendees viewed and got up close and personal with the geese, ducks, cranes, herons, egrets, ibis, swans, songbirds, and raptors in all their natural splendor.

Birding memories were made that will last a lifetime and many found a new passion like no other: Birds & Birding!

Some Highlights of the 2022 Snow Goose Festival

  • NEW Snow Goose Festival Headquarters, Patrick Ranch Museum: a delightful and birdy venue.
  • 159 bird species sighted or heard
  • Record sightings of Golden Eagles, exciting sightings of Red-necked Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Short-eared Owl, and Northern Shrike
  • Butte County Big Day field trip species count 123 (2nd best record)
  • A free showing of a film by a local photographer and videographer, “Birds in Sacramento Valley’s Winter Wetlands” at the Museum of Northern California Art during the Snow Goose Festival Art Exhibition
  • 15 Outstanding, Dedicated, and Generous Sponsors
  • 401 total registrants
  • 73 California cities represented, and three from out of state: Alaska, Oregon, and Nevada
  • 60 field trips were offered, most sold out!
  • Most people registered for multiple trips over the 4 days.
  • 55 excellent and experienced field trips leaders volunteered their time and energy
  • We had awesome volunteers who helped at Patrick Ranch (Trish, Tom, Laura, Wendy, Liz, Cassie, Cindy, Cris, Steve) and at the Art Reception (Cathy, Celeste, John, Sue).
  • Staff was outstanding (Jennifer, Carla, Mary)