Chico’s 24th annual Snow Goose Festival begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday.
The festival is hosted in Butte County on the Pacific Flyway, and event organizer, Jared Geiser said the birds come from all over the world.
“A whole bunch of waterfowl from way up north. A whole bunch of shorebirds from way up north, and they all come and hang out in our beautiful valley,” Geiser said. “The festival is really aimed at promoting outdoor recreation opportunities relating to this incredible migration.”
This year’s festival is held at Patrick Ranch between Chico and Durham. Gesier said it will offer a full range of displays, workshops and activities for avid birders, as well as for the merely curious.
“It’s a great spot for our headquarters because we’re actually able to just go out and look at birds, just right there at the headquarters so you don’t have to go on a field trip to see birds, you’ll see a whole lot out there,” he said. “We had a running list last year and I think we had almost 50 different species just at the Patrick Ranch.”
For those who want to get out for a broader view to nearby wildlife sanctuaries and viewing areas ranging across five counties, Geiser said to register soon because spots fill fast.
It’s not just snow geese that come far to attend the festival.
Geiser said the regional event now attracts visitors from other states and internationally.
Editor's note: The Snow Goose Festival is among NSPR’s financial supporters.
