California Duck Days returns April 25 with free family activities and wildlife encounters

California Duck Days returns Saturday, April 25, to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, bringing a full day of free, family-friendly activities centered around the wetlands and wildlife of the Central Valley. The outdoor festival welcomes visitors of all ages with hands-on exhibits, live animals and nature-based games designed to spark curiosity and appreciation for the natural world. Food trucks will be on site for refreshments, and attendees are encouraged to bring a water bottle. Dogs are not permitted at the event. Children and parents alike can wade into a wetland pond to discover aquatic invertebrates, dissect owl pellets to uncover the bones and feathers of an owl's last meal, and get up-close views of raptors from the Central Valley courtesy of Native Bird Connections. Other highlights include duckling encounters, bat education sessions with Norcal Bats, water quality testing demonstrations and wood duck nest box building with California Waterfowl. Younger visitors can also try their hand at crafting tule duck decoys, painting wooden mallard cutouts to take home and learning duck and goose calls using special whistles provided on-site. Those looking for a broader experience can sign up for a 90-minute bus tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, where volunteers share the area's history and help identify local plants and animals along the route. Working dog demonstrations, beginner fly tying lessons from the Fly Fishers of Davis and exhibits from more than 30 local environmental organizations round out the day. All activities and interactive exhibits are free of charge. More information can be found at: yolobasin.org/california-duck-days/