REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 12TH
Festival to be held November 12 - 15, 2026
The Swan Festival will have a variety of tours for all interest levels and ages. Enjoy bird-watching tours, explore the beauty of local flora and fauna, hike in the mysterious Sutter Buttes volcanic range, visit a local rice farm, or get an introduction to birding.
All tours will be emailed meeting location. There is not a festival HUB this year. We have replaced a festival HUB with a Kick-off party on Friday at Munger Family Vineyard. For updates and registration reminders, please sign-up for our email list by contacting info@sutterbutteslandtrust.org.
Registration opens October 12, 2026
Cancellation Policy
No cancellations or refunds will be available online. To cancel and receive a refund, minus a processing fee, you must call or email the Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust (SBRLT) at info@sutterbutteslandtrust.org or 530-755-3568.
If the festival must cancel an event, registered attendees for that event will be notified via email.
Attendees will be offered the following options:
- register for substitute activities of the same value
- donate registration fee to SBRLT programs
- full refund minus processing fee (allow up to 4 weeks for processing)
Tour Difficulty Ratings
The following rating system for tours will give you an idea of the difficulty level involved.
(1) Wheelchair accessible
(2) Birding by car and/or easy walking
(3) Lots of driving and walking could involve distance
but largely flat
(4) More vigorous hiking, with some elevation gain/loss
(5) A true adventure trip with strenuous hiking
Cost Structure
Adult = 18 years old and older
Youth = 13-17 years old
Kids = 0-12 years old
REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 12TH
TOURS
Thursday, November 12th, 2026
Sunset, Swans, and Rice at Montna Farms
Tour #101
When: Thursday, November 12th @ 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Tour Type: Walking and car tour
Meeting Location: Montna Farms Main Office
Max Group Size: 25 people
Difficulty: 2
Cost: $20/person
Lead by: Jon Munger and David Rosen
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
One of the main reasons the Sacramento Valley is so attractive to wintering waterfowl is because the multitude of rice farming operations provide vast acreages of temporary wetlands in which the birds can rest and feed. One of the premier spots to view waterfowl and other birds wintering on flooded rice fields is Montna Farms. Located in Dingville, just south of Yuba City, CA, agriculture and wildlife blend in harmony at Montna Farms. Jon Munger, President, will share with us how rice moves from field to fork through growing, drying, storing, milling and marketing. We’ll discover how California’s rice industry is sustaining agriculture and waterfowl. Then we’ll see the huge fields of wintering waterfowl, where we’ll get great views of Tundra Swans, geese, ducks, White-faced Ibis, herons, egrets, raptors, and lots more!
TOURS
Friday, November 13th
Kick-Off Party
Kick-Off Party
When: Friday, November 13 @ 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Event Location: Munger Family Vineyard
Max Group Size: 75
Cost: $55/Member Discount Varies by Levels
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Join us for an evening of local food, wine, and connection with fellow conservation-minded community members, featuring food, drinks, a silent auction, and a moving historical & cultural presentation with our honored guests, Jon Munger of Montna Farms, and Shelly Covert with the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe.
Schedule of Events:
4:30 PM: Wine, food and auction begins
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM: Presenters
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Silent auction/social time
Gray Lodge Wildlife
Tour #102
When: Friday, November 13th @ 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Tour Type: Walking and car tour
Meeting Location: Gray Lodge Main Parking
Max Group Size: 15 people
Difficulty: 2
Cost: Free (Must purchase Lands Pass fee online or in-person w/ cash for $5.66)
Lead by: Laura Lush
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is a jewel in the crown of the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife. More than a million waterfowl can’t be wrong! Gray Lodge’s habitat diversity and location along the Pacific Flyway make it a magnet for ducks, geese, and other wildlife. Surrounded by miles of rich agricultural land, this 9,100-acre area is intensively managed primarily for wintering waterfowl. The Sutter Buttes make a perfect backdrop for the wetlands in which the birds congregate. This is a great trip to see four or more species of geese, nearly a dozen species of ducks, including Eurasian Wigeon, several raptor species, lots of wading birds, and songbirds in the riparian vegetation. Laura will lead us on a short walk, through the wetlands and woodlands, to an observation platform with views of huge flocks of waterfowl. Then we’ll travel around the one-way auto loop, which has great views of the wetlands and waterfowl from both sides of the vehicles. The group will be in constant communication with Laura using walkie-talkies.
TOURS
Saturday, November 14th
Birding at Beale Air Force Base
Tour #201
When: Saturday, November 14th @ 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Tour Type: Bus with light walking
Meeting Location: Schneider Gate (main gate)
Max Group Size: 26 people
Difficulty: 2
Cost: $25/person
Lead by: Michael Robinson
Registration Closes Oct. 30th
NOTE: To gain access to the base, each adult participant MUST provide their full legal name, social security number, date of birth, and CA REAL ID number at least 2 weeks prior to the event for pre-screening. Particpants MUST present a CA REAL ID OR PASSPORT W/ CA ID at the gate to check-in. Those with a felony record will not be admitted on base (no exceptions). Any and all weapons and/or drugs brought on base is considered a federal crime.
NOTE: Beale AFB tour registration will end October 30th to allow for military staff to fully vet all participants (needed 2 weeks prior to tour date).
This is rare opportunity to look for birds on Beale Air Force Base. Department of Defense facilities preserve some of best remaining habitats in the U.S. and Beale is a great example. The base includes one of largest and best-preserved areas of Central Valley grassland, a habitat under severe threat from urban development and conversion to agriculture. A base biologist will accompany us as we search the grasslands for Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks, and several other raptor species, maybe even a Bald or Golden Eagle. Falcons may include American Kestrel, Merlin, and Prairie Falcon. Horned Larks and Western Meadowlarks should be abundant. Surprises like Mountain Bluebirds are also possible this time of year. We will also visit some large ponds that can harbor several species of waterfowl and an oak riparian zone with its own suite of typical species. The trip will be by carpool/small bus with multiple short stops and one short walk on flat ground. If there’s enough time, we may drive by some other points of interest on the base, including an SR71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft that flew over Mach 3!
Exploring State Parks: Peace Valley
Tour #202
When: Saturday, November 14th @ 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Tour Type: Hike
Meeting Location: On-Site (Directions will be emailed before the tour)
Max Group Size: 12 people/10 vehicles
Difficulty: 4 (Not recommended for children 12 and under)
Cost: $30/person
Lead by: Rosie Blackburn and Chaye VanKeuran
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Come join CA State Parks for a hike through the Sutter Buttes and learn about the history of the land along the way. Plenty of birding options with potential sightings of golden and bald eagles. There is a restroom at the beginning of the hike, but no trash cans or potable water. Bring plenty of water, a sack lunch, sun hat, and wear sturdy hiking boots. Pack it in, pack it out. Steep and uneven terrain make this a strenuous hike. Only recommended for experienced hikers ages 12 and up. High clearance vehicles and carpooling are recommended. No early departures on this trip.
Hike on Shaeffer Ranch
Tour #203
When: Saturday, November 14th @ 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Tour Type: Hike (Optional wine tasting at Cordi Winery afterwards)
Meeting Location: On-Site (Directions will be emailed before the tour)
Max Group Size: 20 people/10 vehicles
Difficulty: 3 (Not recommended for children 12 and under)
Cost: $45/person (Optional wine tasting is an additional $10/person paid directly to Cordi Winery)
Lead by: Ty Shaeffer
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
NOTE: There are two tours on the Shaeffer property on Saturday. This tour is a HARDER hiking tour. If you would like an easier walking tour, please see tour #207.)
This is a rare opportunity to gain access to the Sutter Buttes, the smallest mountain range in the world! The Shaeffer Ranch will host hikers to explore on the north side of the Buttes, which has been in the same family since the 1860s. Depending on visibility, the hike will include views of North Butte, Peace Valley, and an old Titan Missile site. In this beautiful oak grassland habitat, possible bird sightings include Golden Eagle, Phainopepla, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, Varied Thrush, and many other winter visitors. The rock formations and the geology of this part of the Buttes is amazing. Be sure to bring binoculars, lunch, water, sturdy boots/shoes, and hiking sticks, if you have them. No early departures on this trip. No early departures on this trip. After the hike, the leaders will provide an optional visit to the nearby Cordi Winery for wine tasting! Wine tasting is an additional $10/person, paid directly to Cordi Winery.
Saturday Morning Swan Tour
Tour #204
When: Saturday, November 14th @ 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Tour Type: Car tour
Meeting Location: Swan tour staging area (Address available upon tour registration)
Max Group Size: 10 vehicles
Difficulty: 1 (Car tour = little to no walking)
Cost: $20
Lead by: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.
Birding at Bobelaine Sanctuary
Tour #205
When: Saturday, November 14th @ 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Tour Type: Hike
Meeting Location: On-Site (Directions will be emailed before the tour)
Max Group Size: 15
Difficulty: 3 (Not recommended for children 12 and under)
Cost: $20
Lead by: Rachel Cowan
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Bobelaine is a 430-acre National Audubon Sanctuary along the Feather River, managed by Sacramento Audubon Society. It’s a rare remnant of the riparian forests that once extended two to five miles on either side of the rivers in the Central Valley. Bobelaine is listed as an “Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society and the extensive forest of giant cottonwood, valley oak, sycamore, and willow is home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife throughout the seasons. We’ll explore the trails and search for the resident and wintering birds. Woodpeckers of various species should be abundant. Black-crowned Night Herons, Wood Ducks, egrets, grebes, and cormorants may be on the water. Cedar Waxwings, Yellow Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a variety of sparrows will be settling in for the winter. We may get looks at some of the woodland raptors such as Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk as well. If we’re lucky, we may even see deer or a family of river otters frolicking along the river. Expect to walk about 2 miles on mostly level ground. Heavy rain will cancel trip.
Saturday Afternoon Swan Tour
Tour #206
When: Saturday, November 14th @ 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Tour Type: Car tour
Meeting Location: Swan tour staging area (Address available upon tour registration)
Max Group Size: 10 vehicles
Difficulty: 1 (Car tour = little to no walking)
Cost: $20
Lead by: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.
Leaders: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
Shaeffer Ridge with Cordi Winery
Tour #207
When: Saturday, November 14th @ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tour Type: Walking (Optional wine tasting at Cordi Winery afterwards)
Meeting Location: Cordi Winery, 10401 Ingram Ln, Live Oak, CA 95953
Max Group Size: 20 people
Difficulty: 3
Cost: $20/person (Optional wine tasting is an additional $10/person paid directly to Cordi Winery)
Lead by: Carolyn Brown
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
NOTE: There are two tours on the Shaeffer property on Saturday. This tour is an EASIER walking tour. If you would like a harder hiking tour, please see tour #203.)
This short Shaeffer Ranch hike offers a rare opportunity to access the Sutter Buttes, the smallest mountain range in the world! The Shaeffer Ranch is located on the north side of the Sutter Buttes and has been in the same family since the 1860’s. This approximately two-hour afternoon hike will explore the beautiful oak grassland habitat that is found on the property with the goal of viewing an old Titan Missile site. Expect some moderate elevation gain and loss, and lots of cross-country hiking or hiking on animal trails through the grasslands as we make our way to the viewing area. Be sure and wear sturdy boots or shoes – no open toed shoes and no crocs. Hiking poles, water and a snack are recommended. This hike will begin and end at Cordi Winery. No early departures on this trip. After the hike, the leaders will provide an optional visit to Cordi Winery for wine tasting! Wine tasting is an additional $10/person, paid directly to Cordi Winery.
Sunset Swan Tour
Tour #208
When: Saturday, November 14th @ 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Tour Type: Car tour
Meeting Location: Swan tour staging area (Address available upon tour registration)
Max Group Size: 10 vehicles
Difficulty: 1 (Car tour = little to no walking)
Cost: $20
Lead by: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.
Leaders: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
TOURS
Sunday, November 15th
Nature of the Sutter Buttes: Hike on Dean Place
Tour #301
When: Sunday, November 15th @ 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Tour Type: Hike
Meeting Location: On-Site (Directions will be emailed before the tour)
Max Group Size: 20 people/10 vehicles
Difficulty: 3 (Not recommended for children 12 and under)
Cost: $45/person
Lead by: Carolyn Brown
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Lace up your hiking boots, grab your trekking poles and binoculars, and join this rare opportunity to gain access to an area normally not open to the public! Explore the secluded depths of the interior of the Sutter Buttes, the smallest mountain range in the world, as we visit the 100-year-old Dean Place Cattle Ranch. The focus on this three-mile walk will be on the birds of the Buttes and we’ll hopefully see such gems as Golden Eagle, Phainopepla, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, Varied Thrush, lots of winter sparrows, and with luck, geese and swans flying high over the Buttes. Prepare for some moderate climbing and mostly uneven ground. Be sure to bring binoculars, lunch, water, and sturdy boots/shoes and hiking sticks, if you have them. Bring food and water. No early departures on this trip.
Sunday Morning Swan Tour
Tour #302
When: Sunday, November 15th @ 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Tour Type: Car tour
Meeting Location: Swan tour staging area (Address available upon tour registration)
Max Group Size: 10 vehicles
Difficulty: 1 (Car tour = little to no walking)
Cost: $20
Lead by: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.
Leader: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
Exploring State Parks: Peace Valley
Tour #303
When: Sunday, November 15th @ 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Tour Type: Hike
Meeting Location: On-Site (Directions will be emailed before the tour)
Max Group Size: 12 people/10 vehicles
Difficulty: 4 (Not recommended for children 12 and under)
Cost: $30/person
Lead by: Rosie Blackburn and Chaye VanKeuran
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Come join CA State Parks for a hike through the Sutter Buttes and learn about the history of the land along the way. Plenty of birding options with potential sightings of golden and bald eagles. There is a restroom at the beginning of the hike, but no trash cans or potable water. Bring plenty of water, a sack lunch, sun hat, and wear sturdy hiking boots. Pack it in, pack it out. Steep and uneven terrain make this a strenuous hike. Only recommended for experienced hikers ages 12 and up. High clearance vehicles and carpooling are recommended. No early departures on this trip.
Birding at Bobelaine Sanctuary
Tour #304
When: Sunday, November 15th @ 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Tour Type: Hike
Meeting Location: On-Site (Directions will be emailed before the tour)
Max Group Size: 15
Difficulty: 3 (Not recommended for children 12 and under)
Cost: $20
Lead by: Cliff Hawley
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Bobelaine is a 430-acre National Audubon Sanctuary along the Feather River, managed by Sacramento Audubon Society. It’s a rare remnant of the riparian forests that once extended two to five miles on either side of the rivers in the Central Valley. Bobelaine is listed as an “Important Bird Area” by the National Audubon Society and the extensive forest of giant cottonwood, valley oak, sycamore, and willow is home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife throughout the seasons. We’ll explore the trails and search for the resident and wintering birds. Woodpeckers of various species should be abundant. Black-crowned Night Herons, Wood Ducks, egrets, grebes, and cormorants may be on the water. Cedar Waxwings, Yellow Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a variety of sparrows will be settling in for the winter. We may get looks at some of the woodland raptors such as Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Sharp-shinned Hawk as well. If we’re lucky, we may even see deer or a family of river otters frolicking along the river. Expect to walk about 2 miles on mostly level ground. Heavy rain will cancel trip.
Leader: Cliff Hawley
Sunday Afternoon Swan Tour
Tour #305
When: Sunday, November 15th @ 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Tour Type: Car tour
Meeting Location: Swan tour staging area (Address available upon tour registration)
Max Group Size: 10 vehicles
Difficulty: 1 (Car tour = little to no walking)
Cost: $20
Lead by: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.
Sunset Swan Tour
Tour #306
When: Sunday, November 15th @ 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Tour Type: Car tour
Meeting Location: Swan tour staging area (Address available upon tour registration)
Max Group Size: 10 vehicles
Difficulty: 1 (Car tour = little to no walking)
Cost: $20
Lead by: California Department of Fish & Wildlife Naturalist
Registration Closes Nov. 11th @ 9 AM PST
Come along on this exciting tour featuring Yuba County’s wintering tundra swans. Be prepared to witness the Pacific Flyway in all its glory. A naturalist from California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be your guide to the remarkable migratory bird populations using flooded rice fields to forage and overwinter. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley, as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather.