Tundra swans in flooded rice fields near Marysville. Photo by Brian Gilmore.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY, Calif. – Join a Department of Fish and Game naturalist-led swan tour of Marysville’s Rice and Waterfowl area this November through January.

Co-hosted by local rice farmers and land owners, these tours will focus on finding tundra swans, as this tract is one of the best locations for seeing swans in California.

Ducks, geese, cranes, shorebirds, white pelicans, herons, egrets and raptors including bald eagles are also commonly seen in this area, known as District 10.

The area contains 23,000 acres of rice fields and restored habit not normally open to the public. This is an excellent example of rice farming for wildlife habitat.

Tours will be held Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. They are driving tours along a short route with very little walking required.

Pre-registration is required on the Department of Fish and Game Web site, www.dfg.ca.gov/regions/2/SwanTours.

Up to 30 people may register for each tour. The tours are free, but registrants are encouraged to make a donation online to the California Wildlife Foundation to support this program.

The swan tours are part of Department of Fish and Game's wildlife viewing services program, which includes similar outdoors opportunities at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Yolo Basin Wildlife Area, Isenberg Crane Reserve and North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve.

For more information about the swan tours, call 916-358-2852.

Tundra swans at Cosumnes River Preserve. Photo by Brian Gilmore.