LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It is time to make your reservations for the upcoming popular Heron Days event slated for Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3.

This popular event, which features pontoon boat rides on Clear Lake – one of California’s largest natural fresh water lakes – was on hiatus last year because of low lake levels, but this year’s rains, although minimal, have brought the lake to a navigable level.

The event is sponsored by Lake County’s Redbud Audubon Society and features pontoon boat rides on Clear Lake with each boat staffed by Audubon volunteers who will point out and identify the variety of bird life on Clear Lake.

On Saturday, May 2, boats will leave from Lakeside County Park near Kelseyville and venture along the shoreline of Clear Lake to the Corinthian Bay area where viewers are likely to see nesting great blue herons along with a variety of other waterfowl and songbirds, including Western and Clark’s Grebes.

On Sunday, May 3, boats will leave from Redbud Park in the city of Clearlake and head down Cache Creek and into Anderson Marsh.

There also is a heron nesting site that may be seen on this trip along with other waterfowl, raptors and songbirds.

The event will once again feature only boat excursions as the “festival” part of Heron Days has been retired.

Redbud Audubon started Heron Days 20 years ago. It has gone from a small event at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park to a huge festival, held for many years at Clear Lake State Park, back to a simplified version that includes only boat rides to view the birds on Clear Lake, explained Redbud Audubon President Roberta Lyons.

“All versions of the event have been great and we look forward to being able to offer the opportunity once again for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the birdlife of Clear Lake,” Lyons said.

The boat trips last about an hour and a half and cost $25 per person.

For more information about the event and to purchase tickets go to www.redbudaudubon.org .