Sandhill Crane Festival

Enjoy a drive through the Sierra-Nevada foothills en route to Pardee Reservoir.  There you will meet James Jones, biologist for EBMUD, and search for early arriving Golden and Bald eagles.  This boat tour also offers uncommon bird species not seen on other Crane Festival tours, including loons, grebes, mergansers, and bufflehead.  Learn more about Pardee Recreational Area by visiting www.pardeelakerecreation.com

Saturday at 8:15 a.m. (#9)

Sunday at 8:15 a.m. (#34)

Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes

car

Adult: $30 - Youth: $20 - Child: $10

Join an expert birder as you learn basic birding techniques in a fun and easy way in an old growth riparian habitat.  Lodi Lake's Nature Area is targeted by San Joaquin Audubon Society as the "best place" to see birds in the county.  Pick up some great tips on identifying songbirds and hawks that you can only get by birding with a pro!  Don't forget your binoculars.

Saturday at 8:30 a.m. (#10)

Sunday at 7:15 a.m. (#32)

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

car

Adult: $15 - Youth: $10 - Child: $5

Join fellow experience birders as you visit several local hot spots in search of the area's many resident and wintering birds.  The differing habitats provide a great variety of birds, from shore birds to wintering warblers.  Visit old growth riparian habitat, farm fields, and local ponds in an attempt to beat the single Festival tour record of 67 species. Binoculars, snacks and water are highly recommended.  There will be short walks at every stop.  

Saturday at 7:30 a.m. (#7)

Sunday at 7:00 a.m. (#30)

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

mini-bus

Adult: $25 - Youth: $15 - Child: $5

Jointly managed by nine private and government agencies, Cosumnes River Preserve is the finest valley oak riparian forest and wetland habitat in California.  Explore this key link on the Pacific Flyway and learn why its management is considered a model in conservation partnerships.  Learn more about the Preserve at www.cosumnes.org.  Experienced tour guides will lead you among the beauty of the Preserve spotting shorebirds, waders, raptors and our Sandhill cranes. 

Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (#21)

Sunday at 3:40 p.m. (#47)

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

bus

Adult: $25 - Youth: $10 - Child: $5

This tour takes center stage as the Festival highlight!  Sandhill Cranes spend their days eating and lounging in the surrounding fields.  At dusk, the they converge in large groups that can number from several hundreds to several thousands.  Often back dropped by stunning sunsets behind Mt. Diablo, cranes fly in, vocalize and often put on a show!  Experienced volunteer docents from the Department of Fish and Game share the natural history of the cranes, taking advantage of the Department's Sandhill Crane Preserve which is managed to ensure that cranes have suitable habitat when arriving for the winter.  Book this tour early as they always fill up fast!  [The cranes determine end times for evening tours.]  

Friday at 4:10 p.m. (#2)

Friday at 4:20 p.m. (#3)

Friday at 4:30 p.m. (#4)

Saturday at 4:15 p.m. (#24)

Saturday at 4:25 p.m. (#25)

Saturday at 4:45 p.m. (#27)

Sunday at 3:35 p.m. (#46)

Sunday at 3:45 p.m. (#48)

Sunday at 4:00 p.m. (#49)

Duration: approximately 3 hours

bus

Adult: $25 - Youth: $10 - Child: $5

More fly-in opportunities!  Combine crane fly-in with birding Staten Island to learn what the birds already know--this is one of the best places in the Delta to spend the winter.  Last year the fly-in here numbered into the hundreds with both greater and lesser Sandhill cranes. In addition, ducks, geese, tundra swans, great blue herons, egrets and white-tailed kites take advantage of what Staten has to offer.   Experienced docents will highlight the history of Staten Island and its partnership with Cosumnes River Preserve.  

Friday at 4:00 p.m. (#1)

Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (#22)

Sunday at 3:25 p.m. (#44)

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

bus

Adult: $25 - Youth: $10 - Child: $5

During the day Sandhill cranes may be vocalizing, feeding, dancing, flying or resting.  Often cranes "bounce" from one feeding field to another, offering good opportunity to observe behaviors not seen in the evening fly-in.  Bright sunshine makes it easier to view their mud-stained wings and bright red forehead, as well as compare adults with juveniles and Greater with Lesser Sandhill cranes.  Department of Fish and Game docents will take you to them!  Learn about the natural history of the cranes and the lands they call their winter home. 

Saturday at 12:00 p.m. (#14)

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

bus

Adult: $25 - Youth: $10 - Child: $5

With Gary Ivey, Western Crane Conservation Manager for the International Crane Foundation as your guide, get up-to-date information about the Sandhill cranes.  You can have all of your questions answered as he shares his crane expertise with you.  Travel the lands that the cranes call their winter home and see them vocalizing, feeding, dancing, flying or just loafing.  Often cranes hop from one feeding field to another, offering good opportunities to observe behaviors not seen in the evening fly-in.  Be there to witness the magic of the cranes.  

Sunday at 8:30 a.m. (#35)

Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (#39)

Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes

bus

Adult: $25 - Youth: $10 - Child: $5

Join kayaking expert and owner of Current Adventures-Kayak School & Trips, Dan Crandall, as you paddle the calm waters of the Middle Slough at Cosumnes River Preserve.  Be on the look out for wood duck, green and black-crowned heron, a variety of warblers, mallards and scrub jays.  You will see button bush and arroyo willows lining the waterways.  All kayaking equipment will be provided including PFDs.  This is a non-instructional tour and some kayaking experience is suggested.  Although unlikely, always dress to get wet, including your personal electronic devices.  www.currentadventures.com

Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (#17)

Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (#38)

Duration: 4 hours

car

Adult: $45 - Youth: $40 - Child: N/A

Take advantage of the Delta waterways as you cruise along through Sandhill crane habitat.  The sky fills with cranes, swans, geese, and ducks, but don't forget to keep an eye on the banks for other birds and mammals.  This tour ranks up there with the Crane Fly-in as the hardest ticket at the Festival to get your hands on!  Suitable for all ages, children are required to have parent supervision.  Boats have an open canopy, but always be prepared for the elements.  Docking from KOA/Tower Park Marina provides the opportunity to enjoy the restaurant and other amenities.  For more info about the marina visit www.towerparkresort.com

Saturday at 8:00 a.m (#8)

Saturday at 10:40 a.m. (#12)

Saturday at 1:20 p.m. (#16)

Saturday at 4:00 p.m. (#23)

Sunday at 7:10 a.m. (#31)

Sunday at 9:50 a.m. (#36)

Sunday at 12:20 p.m. (#37)

Sunday at 2:50 p.m. (#43)

Duration: 3 hours 10 minutes

car

Adult: $40 - Youth: $20 - Child: $10

Turner Road Vintners continues to be a destination highlight among Festival goers.  Its innovative eco-friendly water reclamation ponds have created a natural habitat for a variety of birds.  Get a free taste of their wine as you get a taste of the birding benefits found here.  Past participants comments voiced a desire for more time at this location...Here you go!  Come and enjoy! (must at 21)

Saturday at 1:00 p.m. (#15)

Sunday at 1:10 p.m. (#40)

Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes

car

Adult: $20 - Youth: N/A - Child: N/A

Lodi Lake and Mokelumne River will be at water's capacity this year, providing the rare opportunity for Crane Festival participants to enjoy a twilight kayaking trip on Saturday or an early morning trip on Sunday.  A great way to start or end your day!  Be on the lookout for beavers, river otters and a wide variety of birds.  All kayaking equipment is provided including PFDs, so grab a water bottle and snack and let's go!  Although unlikely, always dress to get wet, including your electronic devices.

Saturday at 3:15 p.m. (#20)

Sunday at 7:30 a.m. (#33)

Duration: 3 hours

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Adult: $35 - Youth: $30 - Child: N/A

Join a light hike along the upper Mokelumne River as it spills from Camanche Dam.  Local birders Kathy Schick and Liz West will help you scout 35+ species including bluebirds, night herons, several woodpecker species, mergansers, osprey and other raptors.  And as an added treat, keep an eye out for spawning Chinook Salmon as they complete their journey from the Pacific ocean!  Kathy and Liz return as tour leaders, ready to share their knowledge of the land and birds specific to this area.  Kathy has participated in the local Christmas bird count for many years and Liz leads the monthly bird census at this location.  

Saturday at 7:00 a.m. (#6)

Duration: 4 hours

car

Adult: $20 - Youth: $10 - Child: $5

Launching from the heart of the Delta at KOA/Tower Park Marina, you will paddle with experienced kayaker, Dan Arbuckle, owner of Headwaters Kayak Shop.  You will learn about the native plants and animals of the Delta and a view a variety of birds as you meaner through the Mokelumne River with your seasoned guide.  You may even be treated to a fly over by the majestic Sandhill Cranes.  All kayaking equipment will be provided.  This is a non-instructional tour and some kayaking experience is suggested.  Though unlikely, always dress to get wet, including your personal electronic devices.  www.headwaterskayak.com

Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (#18)

Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (#41)

Duration: 4 hours

car

Adult: $45 - Youth: $40 - Child: N/A

Lodi Lake and the Mokelumne River will be at the water's capacity this year, providing the rare opportunity for Crane Festival participants to enjoy taking a leisurely patio boat ride.  Join a local naturalist as you glide along at Sunset, viewing the lake's resident birds and tranquil scenery.  The tour is available on Saturday and Sunday evening, but the capacity is only 8!

Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (#26)

Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (#45)

Duration: 2 hours

car

Adult: $30 - Youth: $20 - Child: N/A

Wildlife photographer Richard Pavek from Sausalito will demonstrate how to photograph birds in flight.  He will teach you how to track and shoot without a tripod while maintaining stability.  Richard will also cover composition, exposures, and shutter speeds for birds in flight as well as how to look for bird behavioral cues that let you anticipate when perched birds are about to fly. You can visit his gallery at www.pbase.com/shenmaker or his blog on bird life and bird photography at www.RichardsBirdBlog.com.

This is a registered companion tour for Richard's Photographing Birds in Flight presentation, which is from 1:30-2:30 PM on Saturday in Thomas Theatre.  The presentation is free and open to all.  

Saturday at 3:00 p.m. (#19)

Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (#42)

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

car

Adult: $40 - Youth: N/A - Child: N/A

Tom and Carmela Hoffman are proud to host this tour to their Heritage Oak Winery.  Stroll picturesque vineyards and an old-growth riparian forest to their private beach along the Mokelumne River.  There you will enjoy a wine and cheese tasting sponsored by Heritage Oak Winery and a delicious lunch provided by Panera Bread.  A local birder will join the fun and provide answers to your birding questions.  If we are lucky, the hummingbird feeders will be buzzing with various species.  Lunch, wine, nature...what else is there?  Round trip walking is approximately 2.5 miles, so bring your walking shoes and binoculars.  For more about the winery, visit www.heritageoakwinery.com (must be 21).  

Saturday at 11:00 a.m. (#13)

Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes

car

Adult: $35 - Youth: N/A - Child: N/A

Led by crane expert, Paul Tebbel, this comprehensive morning-long workshop on cranes will teach you many of the common vocalizations, body movements and other characteristics of the Sandhill cranes.  You'll learn to recognize juveniles, tell subspecies apart, distinguish between dancing and aggression behaviors to better understand and appreciate these magnificent cranes.  A light breakfast will be provided along with a crane behavior guide book.  Paul, who has been observing cranes since 1976, strongly recommends dressing in warm layers as it can be quite chilly before sunrise out in the Delta.

Saturday at 6:30 a.m. (#5)

Sunday at 5:30 a.m. (#28)

Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes

van

Adult: $60 - Youth: N/A - Child: N/A

Get acquainted with one of the area's best-kept secrets.  Top birders frequent this "hot spot" for the variety of species.  Old growth riparian habitat provides great opportunity for migrating songbirds, accipiters, wood ducks and much more. David Yee, one of California's most respected birders, returns to lead this small group for a wonderful learning experience.  This tour is designed for returning Festival goers who are eager to join David again and move to the next level of birding skills. 

Saturday at 9:00 a.m. (#11)

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

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Adult: $15 - Youth: $10 - Child: $5

There is no better time to experience the vibrant life of the wetlands than at dawn.  Join a small and hearty group led by local craniac photographer, Lon Yarbrough, on this amazing photo opportunity.  Dawn begins well before the sunrise, when calls and song reveal the wetland's creatures.  As the sun rises you will experiment with high ISOS, long shutter speeds and wide open apertures to capture images not obtainable at any other time.  Details and techniques are available at www.ShareTheRoad.us/dawn.htm.

Sunday at 5:45 a.m. (#29)

Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes

car

Adult: $40 - Youth: N/A - Child: N/A