Field Trip Leader Bios
Read all the biographies here.
A special note about Field Trips
Please arrive at the location indicated 20 minutes prior to your scheduled event. This will allow us time to check you in and ensure the trip leaves promptly. We ask that you follow your field trip leader from the meeting location to the final destination. Anyone arriving after the field trip leader has left may not be able to join the group. Walk-in registration may be available for some events during the weekend of the Festival.
Weather may change a trip's itinerary, but most trips will be conducted rain or shine. The weather in the valley during January is variable. It is generally cold and sometimes rainy, with daytime highs ranging from 50F to 65F.
Be sure to bring the following on your field trips: rain gear, waterproof footwear, layered clothing, binoculars, camera, field identification guide, water and snack or lunch as needed. Please also check out the Tips & Etiquette below to help you enjoy your day to the fullest.
Tips & Etiquette for Bird Watchers
To make your trip more enjoyable for yourself and others, we ask you to please use these following etiquette tips:
- Wear clothing suitable for the weather and area you'll be hiking in. It's practical to layer clothing to accommodate fluctuations in temperature. Wear comfortable shoes that have a good grip and are waterproof when necessary. You may want to take sunscreen, a hat or rain gear.
- Bring binoculars or a scope for a better viewing experience.
- Bring water on long outings to stay hydrated.
- Bring a Field Guide if you are interested in learning more about the birds you see. If you are a beginning birder, look for a guide that specializes in birds of northern California.
- Be courteous to other explorers. Stay with your group and pay attention to your trip leader. Walk quietly and slowly. Do not disrupt animals or damage their habitats (breaking branches, trampling vegetation). Turn off cell phones or other electronic devices. If you are taking children with you, explain to them proper etiquette before the trip. Always behave in a manner that will enhance the image of the birding communities in the eyes of the public.
- Tune up your senses and listen carefully. Scan the horizon and tree canopies. Look to the ground for prints, feathers and other traces of wildlife. Please remove litter and leave natural items where they belong. This will keep it enjoyable for others when they visit.
- No dogs or pets allowed on any Snow Goose Festival event, workshop, or program. Please leave Fido with friends or family and not in the car during a field trip.
Field Trip: Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge -- Day - Sold Out!
$35 Adult; $15 Youth
Saturday, Jan 27, 2024 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Meet at Patrick Ranch Museum (Map)
Walking, could involve distance but largely flat
Description
Join us on a drive through the backroads of Butte County where we are likely to see Tundra Swans and Sandhill Cranes on our way to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. Weather permitting, we will walk the part of the trail that goes through the trees and then take the auto tour loop, stopping along the route whenever we find something interesting (such as a Peregrine Falcon or a Bald Eagle), and at the platform where we can spot many species of diving and dabbling ducks, geese and shorebirds. We'll have walkie-talkies available for the driving portions of this trip. Wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers. Bring water, snacks and lunch.
Field Trip Leader
Charlie Giannini
Charlie Giannini was born and raised in Chico, California. He has always had a love for the outdoors and began birdwatching in 5th grade. Now a senior at CSU, Chico majoring in Biology with a minor in Studio Arts, Charlie plans on going to grad school with the goal of eventually working as a researcher and teacher.
Charlie Giannini's Events
- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge -- Day (1/27/2024)