Get the Rush and Birds of Prey Workshop and Hike at Rush Ranch

Bring your whole family to Rush Ranch south of Suisun City, Calif., this Saturday, March 19th from 9am to 1pm for Get the Rush, and stay from 1pm to 5pm for the last Birds of Prey Workshop and Hike of the season.

Starting at 9am, enjoy an easy and informative guided walk along the marsh trails. Learn about the marsh and local human history. Meet your guide at the map outside the Nature Center. >> Where is Rush Ranch? >>

Between 10am to 1pm, travel back in time as you enter the historic Rush Ranch Blacksmith Shop. Join in an interactive demonstration with a smithy. Learn about traditional blacksmithing tools and equipment, and see the forge in the center of the ranch. Make your own iron nail or other keepsake!

Also from 10am to 1pm, visit Little Bear at his table full of Native American tools that he hand-crafted himself. Ask him about his life experiences and the history and culture of Native Americans.

From 11 am to 1pm, ride around the ranch on a wagon drawn by strong but gentle horses. Everyone is welcome, but the wagon is specially equipped for persons with limited mobility, including a solar powered wheelchair lift. These wagon rides allow those with limited mobility to experience the freedom and excitement of exploring beautiful open spaces like Rush Ranch, with highly trained horses and experienced drivers.

Stay from 1pm to 5pm to join birds of prey expert Larry Broderick for his last presentation and hike of the winter migratory season. In the Nature Center from 1-3pm, Broderick will give a presentation about raptor identification and interpretation including a season wrap-up and highlights from this incredible year. He gives beginning and experienced birders easy ways to identify year-round and migratory raptors. He shares useful handouts on raptor information and identification, and brochures on where to spot them.

Then after a 30 minute social break, from 3:30-5pm he'll lead a hike up Suisun Hill where eagles, falcons and hawks seek out ground squirrel colonies. Broderick has 25 years experience studying, researching, rescuing and rehabilitating birds of prey, and loves to share his knowledge. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, you’ll be entertained as Broderick shows over 100 photos, demonstrates wing beat patterns, and takes you for a hike showing you how to spot birds of prey in the wild.

The blacksmith demonstration and Birds of Prey workshop take place rain or shine. Rain usually cancels other events.

Rush Ranch is owned and operated by Solano Land Trust.

For more on events & things to do near Suisun City, California, go to www.VisitSuisunCity.com