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: World of Trees
$25 Adult; $10 Youth
Saturday, Jan 24, 2026 8:45 am - 11:45 am
Meet at Patrick Ranch - Pat's Barn (Map)
Mostly birding by car and/or easy walking
Wheelchair accessible
Description
Join us for a leisurely stroll along the World of Trees trail in Lower Bidwell Park. This trail winds through a diverse species of trees and attracts quite a variety of birds. The trail is flat but can be muddy if there has been rain. We hope to see Black Phoebe, Oak Titmouse, Acorn Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, and possibly a Red-shouldered Hawk. Time and weather permitting we can continue to mosey up or downstream within Lower Park. This trip is geared towards beginners, but all are welcome. Dress warmly, bring binoculars, water and snacks.
Field Trip Leaders
Craig Roth
As a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and a career working for Sonoma County Parks, City Parks, and Youth Conservation crews, Craig Roth is committed to help conserve the land and waters of Northern California. He is a member of Redwood Region Ornithological Society and Audubon. He participates in monthly bird surveys for many organizations including Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, Sonoma County Parks, Sonoma Land Trust, and Christmas Bird Counts. Additionally he is a valued volunteer on many Sonoma Land Trust conservation projects. Craig continues to explore, share and marvel at the wonders of the avian world and other natural encounters.
Craig Roth's Events
- World of Trees (1/24/2026)
Annette Roth
A lifelong Northern California native, Annette Roth, is an outdoors-lover combining kayaking, cycling, and hiking with bird watching, and appreciating the natural world. She volunteers with conservation organizations including Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, Point Blue Conservation Science, RROS, and Christmas bird counts. She is a member of Redwood Region Ornithological Society and Madrone Audubon, sharing birding experiences and expanding her knowledge of birds and their habitats.
Annette Roth's Events
- World of Trees (1/24/2026)