California Duck Days is a family oriented, community-based outdoor festival with activities for people of all ages. On-site activities for families include interactive exhibits, wetland themed arts and crafts, scooping up and learning about the insects in our ponds, tule toy making, bird box building, owl pellet dissection, and much more. Live wildlife ambassadors include raptors, snakes, bats, and ducklings.
The event will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, 45211 County Road 32B, in Davis. The front parking lot and demonstration wetlands will be transformed into a community environmental education fair. All activities take place outside this year. Food and beverages will be on sale near the exhibitor area.
This collaborative event is brought to you by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Waterfowl, City of Davis, Yolo Audubon and Yolo Basin Foundation. Mark your calendars! We hope to see you there.
Changing Seasons in the YBWA
As we move into March, we will see several changes in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Spring is the time for seasonal wetlands to be drawn down; so many ponds will become mudflats and then dry up completely. This change promotes the germination of moist-soil plants that produce a high seed load. The seed is an important source of food for fall migratory waterfowl. Some water will be held in a few specific ponds through the spring for our Discover the Flyway school programs as well as for ducklings.
It is likely that the dam at parking lot G, also known as the Los Rios Check Dam, will be put in place early due to expected drought conditions. This dam is removed in the fall to allow water to flow for salmon, but is needed to help store water though the summer for agriculture and flooding of wetlands. In the southern portion of the Wildlife Area, pastures are irrigated with the help of this water. Currently thousands of geese are eating on the greens to gain the needed nutrients for their migration back north.
[Read more…]We Are Thankful for…
Volunteers, Teachers, and Students!!
Working together, helping us find and create new ways to Discover the Flyway!
[Read more…]Waterfowl Season in the YBWA
November 11, 2021
The area beyond the hunter check station is now closed to the general public for waterfowl season. See the Wildlife Area map for the location of the hunter check station, just east of Lot D. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays are hunt days. For questions about hunting or management of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, please contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (530) 757-2461.
YBWA Shorebird Fields
July 27, 2021
Each year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife works with the current rice farmer of the Wildlife Area to provide habitat ideal for migrating shorebirds. The lease of the rice farmers includes flooding up about 150 acres of shorebird habitat during the months of July and August. These fields are flooded slowly at depths varying from 0.5 to 6 inches to attract shore birds.
Enjoy You Local Wetlands!
The Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is open everyday except December 25 and when flooded. The area is open sunrise to sunset. For directions to and a map of the YBWA, CLICK HERE.
