What: Media is invited to watch biologists from the California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sample live captured wild birds to test for avian influenza.

When: Thursday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. ??? noon. ?ĮThe event will take place regardless of weather. Dress appropriately.

Where: Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.

From SF Bay Area, take I-80 East and exit at Mace Blvd. Turn left at the end of the off-ramp (Chiles Road). Go straight through the next light. The Wildlife Area headquarters will be on the right.

From Sacramento take I-80 West. At the west end of the Yolo Causeway bridge take the first exit (County Road 32A, East Chiles Road). Turn right at the end of the off-ramp and go under the freeway. Travel west on Chiles until you see the Wildlife Area Headquarters entrance on the left.

Who: Representatives from the DFG, USFWS, USGS, and USDA.

Why: Testing is being done to monitor for the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus currently present in 55 countries around the world, but not yet present in North America.

RSVP: By Nov. 14 to the contacts above.