Free physically distanced swan tours offered by CDFW

Here is an opportunity to have a seasonal winter outing and “get out” without “getting out” in a crowd. It would be possible to make this excursion without leaving the safety of the “Plumas Bubble.” The total tour, round trip, is less than 225 miles, 100 down and 100 back up. Fill with gasoline in town and make the entire trip keeping yourself and your family passengers safe but entertained sharing in a seasonal spectacle.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering free swan tours in Yuba County near Marysville on select Saturdays, November through January.

Held in partnership with the Mathews Rice farming operation, this area – called District 10 – boasts the largest number of overwintering tundra swans in the Central Valley as well as abundant geese, ducks, shorebirds and raptors.

These popular, naturalist-led tours last approximately two hours and have been reconfigured to meet current COVID-19-related health and safety protocols. These safety measures include all participants and guides driving their own vehicles instead of carpooling together. Walkie talkies will be distributed to each participant vehicle to hear and communicate with the guide during the tour. Participants are required to follow all health protocols, which will be distributed upon registration.

The tour dates are:

Nov. 28

Dec. 5, 12 and 19

Jan. 2, 9 and 16

Tours are offered at 9:30 a.m. and at 1 p.m. on each date.

Pre-registration is required by contacting Genelle Treaster, CDFW North Central Region, at [email protected].