CHICO'S SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL

Chico is part of the Pacific Flyway, the aerial route followed by millions of birds on their fall migration from the northern cold of Alaska to the southern warmth of South America.

WHY HAVE A SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL IN CHICO?

Although much of the area's natural wetlands have long since disappeared, naturalists and farmers in and around Chico have worked together to preserve those that remain, and to add to the wetland acreage by such practices as flooding the rice fields in winter to decompose the stubble instead of burning it, as they used to do.

Thanks to conservation practices like these, the availability of food in the area, and California's mild winter climate, an estimated 3 to 5 million migrating waterfowl winter over in California's Central Valley every year.

Chico is at the Northern end of that valley and, while many of the birds continue further south, thousands of them stay right in the Chico area for the entire winter.

Out of all the hundreds of species, probably the most numerous and easily recognized is the Snow Goose.

To see hundreds of them rising as one, swarming the sky in search of food, is a sight to behold! Imagine a cloud of snow-white bodies & black-tipped wings, blotting out the sun as it passes overhead!

Every year, at the end of January, The Snow Goose Festival celebrates The coming of the geese with a weekend of field trips, workshop offerings, Junior Naturalist activities, the "Uptown-Downtown Wildlife Art Exhibit", and a "Gathering of the Wings Banquet" with Silent Auction.

Check the Festival's website for details about the upcoming activities: Snow Goose Festival.

CAN'T MAKE IT TO CHICO ON THAT PARTICULAR WEEKEND?

You don't have to wait for the Snow Goose Festival to experience the wonders of this annual migration.

Although the Central Valley has resident birds year-round, the greatest numbers are to be seen in the late fall and winter months.

Depending on the weather to the north, birds may start arriving in the Chico area as early as September, and may begin departing as early as January, or as late as March or April.

During the winter (peak populations are usually December and January), drive the back roads and/or visit any of the wildlife refuges. Where ever you are, just look to the side of the road or up at the sky as you're driving and you're likely to see:

• Snow Geese along with several other kinds of geese,
• Great Blue Heron, Great Egret,

• Too many different kinds of ducks to enumerate here - although my favorite is the multi-colored Wood Duck,
• Tundra and Trumpeter Swans
• Sandhill Cranes
• Hawks and eagles,
• There can be as many as 236 species sharing the same wildlife refuge!

And here are a couple of links to wildlife refuges in the area where you can get more details:

• Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
• Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex

And a link for a: Self-Guided Winter Miigratory Waterfowl Tour

If you like birding - actually, even if you don't - you can't help but be amazed at the spectacle that surrounds Chico during the winter months!

And the Snow Goose Festival is a wonderful venue for exploring the mysteries of the annual waterfowl migration!

Here are some other Chico Events & Festivals you'll want to know about:

Take a look at each one, and plan your trip to Chico according to what you're most interested in!

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