Coming up on Saturday, Nov. 12, plan to make time to enjoy the Stanislaus River Salmon Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 17968 Covered Bridge Road in Knights Ferry. The free event will feature fly casting, interactive exhibits and CDFW law enforcement officers will be present to answer questions. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/srsfest or call (209) 403-1046.
This is just one of the special activities planned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife next month. Following are a few more to put on the calendar.
Saturdays in November feature Tundra Swan Tours at District 10, a 23,000-acre expanse of privately owned rice fields and restored habitat in Yuba County, north of Marysville. The free tours are led by naturalists and last about two hours. Tours for up to 30 people are held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required at www.wildlife.ca.gov/regions/2/swan-tours. For more information, call (916) 358-2869 or email interpretiveservices@wildlife.ca.gov.
Weekends include Sandhill Crane Wetland Tours. Docent-led public tours are offered at Woodbridge Ecological Reserve the first three Saturdays and Sundays of each month through February. The reserve is located just west of Lodi and offers managed wetland habitat that attracts the Sandhill cranes each year. Tours begin two hours before sundown. Visitors can register for tours up to eight weeks in advance online at www.wildlife.ca.gov/regions/3/crane-tour. Self-guided tours, highlighted by a set of interpretive panels, also are available at the Woodbridge Ecological Reserve South Unit, 11154 W. Woodbridge Road, Lodi.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Tours are at 12:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 5, at 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. The 90-minute walking tour covers slightly more than one half mile through a premier birding spot that highlights migratory waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. No reservations are necessary for groups of less than 20 people. A $4.32 Daily Use Fee is required for visitors without a valid annual CDFW pass, or a California sport fishing, hunting or trapping license. There is no additional cost for the tour. Tours are canceled in heavy rain.
On various days during the month, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Guided Wetland Tours are available by reservation, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley. A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization on a half-mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. Tours can be catered to include requested information. The minimum group size is 18 people.
For more information about either of the Gray Lodge opportunities, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Weekends also include Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve Tours. Volunteers lead walks every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Binoculars and bird books are available for the public to borrow at no cost. The visitor center and main overlook are fully accessible. The day use fee is $4.12 per person, ages 16 and older. Groups of five or should notify staff that they are coming and groups of 10 or more can request a separate tour. For more information, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/lands/places-to-visit/elkhorn-slough-er.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the 2017 Sport Fishing Licenses become available where licenses are sold. For more information or to purchase a license online, visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing.
