LW= light walking, S= stationary Self-Guided Pre-Festival Activities Come a day early and experience one or more uniquely interesting sites, learning about the region's rich natural and cultural heritage. Enjoy local wines, a renovated downtown, or explore the Delta or Mother Lode, where there is plenty to see and do. Art in the Field NEW TOUR Tour 23 Drive Time (one-way): 20 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE Discover birding from an artist's viewpoint. This tour takes you on a leisurely walk along the Lost Slough Trail and Marsh Boardwalk at the Cosumnes River Preserve, where you will have the opportunity to watch and visit with plein air artists as they capture the beauty of the wetlands and the wildlife that live there. A birding specialist will be available for birding opportunities along the trail. Attracting Birds with Native Plants Tour 26 Drive Time (one-way): 40 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE Native plants are not just for habitat restoration, but can be used to attract birds to your backyard. Native plant experts will help you discover the ease of propagating common natives used to beautify landscapes and increase your birding opportunities. While visiting the nursery you will also have the opportunity to view some of the birds these plants attract. (Hosted by Hartland Nursery) Bald Eagle Watch by Boat Tours 10, 41 Drive Time (one way): 50 minutes (Car, S) $20 Adults, $10 Youth (boat tour) Experience the serenity of Pardee Reservoir in the Sierra Nevada foothills, with hopes of viewing early arriving golden and bald eagles. Good chance to view buffleheads, loons, and 3 different species of grebes. (Sponsored by East Bay Municipal Utilities District) Beginning Birding Tours 20, 50 Drive Time (one way): 5 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE Join expert birder Jim Rowoth as you learn basic birding techniques in a fun and easy way in an old-growth river woodland. This area is targeted by San Joaquin Audubon Society as the "best place" to see birds in the county. Pick up great tips on using field guides and binoculars, and when and where to find songbirds and hawks near Lodi Lake. Binoculars are not required, but will enhance your experience (loaners are available). Big Day Birding Tours 6, 36 Transit time: Varies (Bus, LW) $30 Adults, $15 Youth Join the team of fellow intermediate to advanced birders as you try to beat the festival record of 101 different identified species. Go roving to different habitats, in a wide-ranging, free form tour of the best birding spots in the region. Blazing the Birding Trail Tour 2 Transit Time: 15 minutes (Bus, LW) $15 Adults, $5 Youth Beginners welcome on this exciting adventure with Steve Stocking, scouting for over 50 species of birds at some of Lodi's choice habitats. You will explore such areas as the Lodi ponds, Isenberg Crane Reserve, Lodi Lake and more. Binoculars recommended. Cosumnes River Preserve Tours 3, 15, 47, 57 Transit Time (one-way): 20 minutes (Bus, LW) $15 Adults, $5 Youth Visit the finest valley oak riparian forest and wetland in California. Cranes, waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and waders are featured on this combination walking and bus tour. Explore this key link on the Pacific Flyway and learn why its management is considered a model in conservation partnerships. (Sponsored by the Nature Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management). Cranes in the Corn Tours 9, 30, 42 Transit Time (one-way): 25 minutes (Bus, S) $15 Adults, $5 Youth Cross over to Staten Island, the best place for comparing the greater Sandhill crane to the lesser Sandhill crane. View the results of model agriculture practices that provide wildlife habitat in conjunction with growing food and fiber for our country. Scout for a rare look at ibis, curlews, and other grassland species. (Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy). Crane Roving, Tours 5, 18, 21, 24, 28, 34, 44, 49, 53, 55, 60 More Crane Roving, Tours 35, 61 Transit Time (one-way): 15 minutes (Bus, S) $15 Adults, $5 Youth The pace is lively, the sightings spread out and fun is guaranteed! Depending on the time you take this tour, the cranes may be vocalizing, feeding, dancing, flying, or resting, but they will definitely be awesome. (Sponsored by the Department of Fish and Game) Cranes & Waterfowl Tours 14, 27, 54 Transit Time (one-way): 15 minutes (Bus, S) $15 Adults, $5 Youth Get the best of both worlds! First enjoy seeing a variety of waterfowl with a mixing of shorebirds and herons at the popular Lodi ponds. As you move to nearby agriculture lands, take in views of Sandhill cranes as they feed in cornfields. Delta Birding Cruise Tours 7, 16, 22, 29, 37, 46, 52, 56 Drive Time (one-way): 30 minutes (Car, S) $20 Adults, $10 Youth (boat tour) Come cruising on some of the 1,000 miles of web-like waterways that separate the many islands of the Delta. Birding experts will be on board to identify and explain the many different birds you may see on this trip. This region is a haven for wildlife, making this a must see activity. Suitable for all ages, children are required to have parental supervision. (Sponsored by Herman and Helen's Marina) Delta Meadows Canoeing Tours 12, 43 Drive Time (one-way): 30 minutes (Car, active paddling) $20 Adults, $10 Youth (canoe tour) Enjoy a flat-water, naturalist-led, paddle through a riparian retreat in the Delta searching for night herons, kingfisher, beaver, otters and more. All equipment is provided. Limited to approximately 11 attendees per trip. (Sponsored by California State Parks) Isenberg Crane Reserve Tours 1, 4, 32, 58 Transit Time (one-way): 15 minutes (Bus, S) $15 Adults, $5 Youth Search for flocks of Sandhill cranes as we hope to be in position to catch the "fly in" of cranes to their evening roosting site. These lands are protected by the Department of Fish and Game and surrounded by thousands of acres of grain field habitat in the shadow of Mt. Diablo. (Sponsored by the Department of Fish and Game) Jungle Birding Tour 8 Drive Time (one-way): 5 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE Join expert birder Waldo Holt for an exploration of the undisturbed river woods and marshes along the Mokelumne River near Lodi Lake. This gathering of large oaks, willows, and towering cottonwoods is home to hawks, wood ducks and other waterfowl, a large variety of songbirds, and more. Mokelumne River Rendezvous NEW TOUR Tours 13, 45 Drive Time (one-way): 30 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE Birders John and Kathy Schick will lead this bird watching, hiking, and bus tour along the beautiful Mokelumne River. They will be helping you scout for 35-40 different species of birds, including the western bluebird, black-crowned night-herons, woodpeckers, osprey, other raptors, and a few surprises. Nest Boxes, Rails, and Moor (hens)! NEW TOUR Tour 19 Drive Time (one-way): 20 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE Egrets, night-herons, terns, bitterns, and moorhens enjoy the peacefulness of raising their families along the wooded ponds of White Slough. This tour provides you with the opportunity to install nesting boxes used by wood ducks while viewing these different species of birds and listening for the rare call of the black rail. Raptors, Cranes & Waterfowl Tour 39 Transit Time (one-way): 15 minutes (Bus, LW) $15 Adults, $5 Youth Crane habitat is also great raptor habitat. This tour will focus on birds of prey, using their behavior as an identification skill. Observe flight differences of hawks and kites and feeding patterns of red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks. Keep an eye out for a hopeful rough-legged hawk, peregrine falcon, prairie falcon, or merlin. Compare the habits of these birds of prey with those of the visiting Sandhill cranes and waterfowl during this fascinating morning of active birding at Lodi Ponds and Woodbridge Road. Raptor Ramble Tour 25 Drive Time (one-way): 25 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE Late fall is the time of year when birds of prey can still be seen in our valley. Watch for up to nine different species of hawks and birds of prey in the lower foothills on this driving tour near Linden. Learn techniques for identifying hawks in flight and as they sit perched on nearby posts. Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Tours 11, 40 Drive Time (one-way): 25 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE This tour offers a rare chance to visit this diversified refuge that has limited public access. The trip will include a leisurely hike to a viewing platform and around wetlands as we search for waders, waterfowl, shorebirds, cormorants, raptors, and songbirds (Sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services) Wildlife Photography Tours 31, 38 Drive Time (one-way): 10 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults, Youth FREE Join photographer David Rosen on an excursion to the Lodi Lake area to catch great techniques and tips for improving your skills as a nature photographer. Learn how to capture those unbelievable sights you thought were only for a moment. Wine Tasting, Birds & Farming NEW TOUR Tour 48 Drive Time (one-way): 10 minutes (Car, LW) $10 Adults Farming practices are taking on new looks in an attempt to co-exist with wildlife. In fact, this farm will show you how birds are used as helpful pest control agents instead of harmful pesticides. At the conclusion of the tour you are invited for a bit of wine tasting from the Michael-David Winery. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy or purchase one at the Phillips Farms restaurant. Wineries and Wildlife NEW TOUR Tour 17 Transit Time (one-way): 20 minutes (Bus, LW) $15 Adults + Lunch fee Scout for waterfowl and raptors, then go behind the scenes of Turner Road Vintners to view ducks, egrets, Canada geese, songbirds, and black swans. Learn about an innovative water reclamation practice that benefits waterfowl. Then take a break at the picturesque Jessie's Grove winery for a bit of wine tasting and a gourmet box lunch. Finish up with a little crane viewing.