DURHAM, Calif. \u2014 The Snow Goose Festival has soared into action for its 26th year, celebrating the seasonal gathering of winter birds across the Northern Sacramento Valley.<\/p>\n
An estimated 700 bird watchers are expected to take part in the four-day festival, which runs through Sunday and offers a chance to see and learn about more than 150 bird species throughout the North Valley.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, a small group of bird enthusiasts fanned out across Hooker Oak Park in Chico, home to roughly two dozen species ranging from woodpeckers to sparrows. Guided walks like this one are a core part of the festival, helping participants learn where to look \u2014 and what they\u2019re looking at.<\/p>\n
Leading the group was Grant Heath, a Snow Goose Festival trip leader, who guided hikers on a roughly two-mile loop through the park, stopping frequently to spot and identify birds hidden among the trees.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love to come on these hikes to spot the birds,\u201d said Judy Keswick, a festival participant. \u201cWhen I come by myself, I\u2019m not so good at it. But when I come with a group like this, we find beautiful examples of birds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even larger birds such as woodpeckers can be difficult to spot without trained eyes or binoculars. Many smaller birds blend seamlessly into branches and leaves, often revealing themselves only through their calls.<\/p>\n
Heath said bird watching\u2019s appeal lies in its accessibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s because they\u2019re just so accessible,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re quite charismatic too, compared to bugs and that kind of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
That accessibility is reflected in the festival\u2019s wide reach. Headquartered at the Patrick Ranch Museum in Durham, the Snow Goose Festival features more than 55 field trips, workshops and activities spread across the region, including canoe trips at the Thermalito Afterbay and excursions along the Sacramento River.<\/p>\n