Tundra Swans
©Ashok Khosla. All rights reserved.

Swan Tours

Before winter takes hold in the Arctic, more than 100,000 tundra swans migrate along the Pacific Flyway from their remote and solitary breeding grounds to spend winter in California. The swan tour offers participants a spectacular opportunity to encounter these stately, elegant birds, which weigh more than 20 pounds with a 5.6 foot wingspan.

The tour explores an area called District 10, a 23,000-acre expanse of privately-owned rice fields and restored habitat. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of Tundra Swans in the Central Valley, as well as a wide variety of other species, including ducks, geese, shorebirds, herons, egrets, Sandhill cranes and raptors.

Each tour lasts about 2 hours, and is led by naturalists who will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for nature with the group.

• Where: Yuba County, north of Marysville.
• When: Saturdays at 9:30 am, and 1:00 pm - November through January.
• Each tour is limited to 30 participants.
• Tour groups will caravan around the site on county roads, stopping for wildlife viewing opportunities—little walking is required.
• Dress for the weather and bring drinking water and snacks. Binoculars and field guides are recommended. A restroom is available at the meeting/staging area.
• Cost: A $7 donation is requested for each adult participant. Donations are used to support this program.
• Donate online or send a check to: California Wildlife Foundation, 428 13th St., 10th Floor, Suite A, Oakland, CA 94612.
• REGISTER NOW

Email your questions about Swan Tours.

Self-Guided Swan Viewing: From Marysville head North on Hwy 70 then East on Woodruff Lane to Mathews Lane North to Ramirez Road, or continue on Woodruff to left turn on Hwy 20 then immediate left on Loma Rica Road. From November through January swans can be seen on sections of these roads. Use caution when pulling over to the side of road. Please don't trespass into the rice fields. Remaining in your car will greatly reduce disturbance to birds. No public restrooms are available on self-guided tours.