AltaCal's Annual Snow Goose Festival
Of the Pacific Flyway
Annual Snow Goose Festival
The Pacific Flyway ranks as one of the greatest migratory pathways in the entire world, stretching from the Bering Strait off the coast of Alaska to the steep slopes of Patagonia in South America. Millions of birds representing hundreds of species use this great avian highway each year, and nowhere is this abundance of wildlife more accessible than right here in the Northern Sacramento Valley.
With an ideal combination of mild winter weather, abundant food, and rich quantities of water, the area attracts a huge wintering population of waterfowl and raptors. A local favorite among these is the majestic Snow Goose. With the estimated overall population of Snow Geese exceeding 5 million, as many as 1.5 million use the Pacific Flyway. Tens of thousands of these geese will winter right here in our own backyard.
Celebrating 26 Years!
The 26th Annual Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway was a tribute to the joy of birding and the organization of local birders and friends of birders that gathered to celebrate this festival. Jennifer Patten, one of several co-founders of the festival, stepped down from her role as Festival Director for the first 25 years and finally enjoyed the roles of field trip attendee and co-leader.
Here are some highlights of the 2026 Snow Goose Festival:
The Snow Goose Festival Headquarters at Patrick Ranch Museum provided a venue rich in the heritage and architecture of a 19th century farm.
Birds of Prey were a big force during West Coast Falconry Assembly on Sunday. Families and adults had an unforgettable experience seeing raptors in flight right over their heads!
134 bird species sighted or heard
“Gathering of Wings” banquet, silent auction & keynote speaker Kate Marianchild, who spoke of the secrets of the oak woodlands. There were 223 banquet attendees, live music by John Seid and friends, and 43 silent auction and raffle donors.
23 Outstanding, Dedicated, and Generous
Sponsors
633 total registrants
370 people attended the free Museum of Northern California Art “Perch, Flutter, Soar” Snow Goose Festival Art Reception. The exhibit featured a 100 pieces of art and a variety of media.
106 California cities represented, and interstate travelers came from Oregon, Nevada, and New York.
59 field trips and 4 workshops; 37 field trips sold out.
Mauricio and Jeremy Schrader led a birding walk in Lower Bidwell Park specifically for group of ten developmentally disabled adults from the Little Red Hen program in Chico, CA.
81 excellent and experienced
field trips leaders and workshop presenters, who volunteered their time and energy.
We had awesome
“Super Snow Goose” Volunteers...
Field Trip Coordination: Trish & Tom Reilly
Exhibitor Coordinator:
Karen Smith
Silent Auction: Celeste Garcia, Sandy Makau, Jennifer Patten, Tammie Loftin, Bill Bynum, Dave Garcia, Marcie Ligammarie, Annette Roth, Craig Roth , Cathy Mueller, Shelby Hebert
Art Reception: Cathy Carter, Paula Sunn, Tania Aguilar
Jr Naturalist Activities: Tania Aguilar and National Charity League-Mother/Daughter
Publicity: Carla Resnick
Facebook:
Claire Green
Patrick Ranch Set-Up and Operation:
Brent Blake, Cassie Corridoni, Diana Hoffmeister, Elena Ferch, Ellie Mahoney, Gabrielle Broche, Hilary Locke, Jean Kesthely, Jimi Logsdon, Joan Mitchell, Liz Webster, Maria Christoff, Mark Hooper, Mary Wrysinski, Pam Scheideman, Ryan Schwalm, Shelby Hebert, Stephen Muser, and Wendy Pine
See you next year at the
27th Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway,
January 28 - 31, 2027
Sylvia Wright's Photo Album from SGF 2024
