Swans and waterfowl take to the sky in the flooded rice fields of Sutter County. “Fly offs” can be viewed during the California Swan Festival in Marysville from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10. Registration for tours opens on Oct. 8.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The fall season brings acres of flooded fields to the Yuba Sutter region as farmers prepare for next year’s crop. Water works its magic on the soil, breaking down waste and thwarting weeds, while the artificial wetlands that emerge give refuge to millions of migrating birds along the Pacific Flyway.

Swans and snow geese are among the most recognizable species that come to rest their weary wings. The sheer number of their arrival inspires crowds of photographers, birders and curious passers-by each year. It is this annual spectacle that sparked the creation of the California Swan Festival, a three-day event that will return to Marysville from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10.

“Our festival highlights the graceful and elegant Tundra Swans that stand out among the teeming masses of waterfowl and shorebirds, encouraging you to seek out the star of the show,” said Alyssa Lindman, the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust executive director. “Each species has unique behaviors like feeding, preening, and posturing that are fascinating to observe. We’re thrilled to bring this event back to our region, offering families and especially youngsters a one-of-a-kind experience.”

A visitor at last year’s California Swan Festival in Marysville holds an owl for the first time, courtesy of West Coast Falconry.

Previously, the Swan Festival was hosted by the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce but a new partnership this year has been forged with the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust (SBRLT). Organizers say that this merge will highlight regional conservation efforts while bringing awareness to the importance of wintering waterbirds and other diverse wildlife migrating through Yuba, Sutter and Colusa counties.

“Ultimately, it felt like a good fit for us to take over and I was really excited about that because we didn't have any large outreach events like this,” Lindman said. “It was challenging but I think the rewards and benefits from getting back up and running are so meaningful to the community.”

This year’s California Swan Festival exhibit hall will be stationed at the Yuba College campus in Maryville, located at 2088 North Beale Road. Here, guests can enjoy a vendor fair and a free Kids’ Zone with activities, live animal presentations, and expert presenters.

West Coast Falconry is expected to be in attendance with opportunities to take photos with their birds and NorCal Bats will return with up-close encounters with a variety of bat species. Another return exhibitor will be Barbara Steinberg of California Watchable Wildlife, a group aimed at celebrating the state's wildlife and diverse habitats by acknowledging and elevating the value that wildlife viewing brings to individuals, families, communities and industries.

“California Watchable Wildlife and Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust are very much aligned with a mission of preservation and conservation of our open spaces and agricultural lands,” Steinberg said. “We are a statewide program but our concerns for rural regions, like the Yuba-Sutter counties, is paramount. A lesser-known destination, we hope to grow the economy for the region and SBRLT through our joint efforts.”

Waterfowl take to the sky in a flooded rice field of Yuba County. “Fly-offs” can be viewed during the California Swan Festival in Marysville from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10. Registration for tours opens on Oct. 8.

In addition to the exhibits deployed at Yuba College, guests can register for a variety of tours catered to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience. From kayaking the Feather River to hiking the sacred lands of the Sutter Buttes Mountain range, adventure can be found at the California Swan Festival. Other less strenuous tours include sightseeing at a local winery or sunset caravaning to witness evening “fly offs” where thousands of birds take to the sky in their nightly ritual. 

“It’s truly a breathtaking sight,” Lindman said.

Tour registration will open on Oct. 8. For more information about the California Swan Festival or to register for tours, visit caswanfestival.org. Organizers stated that excess proceeds from the event will be used to benefit the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust’s mission, which is to protect the natural and agricultural resources of the Sutter Buttes and surrounding region for present and future generations. To learn more about the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust, visit sutterbutteslandtrust.org.