18th Annual Snow Goose Festival
- Overview
- Field Trips
- Workshops
- Banquet/Auction
- Art Show
- Free Events and Activities
- Youth Activities
- Bios
- Exhibitors
- Sponsors
- Registration
Field Trip Leader Bios
Read all the biographies here.
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, camera, field identification guide, water and snack or lunch as needed. 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 Snow Goose Festival event, workshop, or program. Please leave Fido with friends or family and not in the car during a field trip.
Field Trip: Historic Rancho Llano Seco -- Wildlife & Habitat Conservation
$27 Adult; $10 Youth
Thursday, Jan 26, 2017 2:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Meet at Chico Masonic Family Center (Map)
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat
Description
This is a "behind the gates" opportunity to visit the historic Rancho Llano Seco where thousands of acres are set aside for wildlife habitat and conservation. Habitats include riparian forests of the Sacramento River and Little Chico Creek, Valley oak woodlands and savannas, native and annual grasslands, vernal pool and freshwater marsh wetlands. These habitats attract wintering waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes, as well as a variety of raptors. We'll hear about the Rancho's rich natural and cultural histories, its wildlife habitats, and wildlife-friendly farming practices. A field trip will wind through a majestic Valley oak woodland, where we will stretch our legs before heading to the marsh to scout-out ducks, geese, Sandhill Cranes, and other wildlife. Participants will also meet with Joe Silveira, US Fish & Wildlife Service Wildlife Biologist, who manages the wildlife habitat programs at Llano Seco.
Dress warmly, bring a warm beverage, and do bring your binoculars -- we may have a chance to see hundreds of wintering ducks, geese, and Sandhill Cranes! This tour leaves the ranch after dark. (Above photo courtesy of FareResources)
Field Trip Leader
Richard Thieriot
Dick Thieriot is a decendent of John & Abby Parrott who purchased Llano Seco Rancho in the 1860s. He is co-owner of Llano Seco Ranch, where he has implemented diverse riparian, freshwater wetland, ranching and farming conservation practices.
Richard Thieriot's Events