> On Monday 30 October we're going to be taking our whole program on a
> field trip to central Oregon--about 90 freshmen that we're introducing to
> natural history, among other things. I'm thinking of stopping briefly at
> Sauvie Island as we pass through the Portland area, in hopes of showing
> them massive numbers of geese plus some Sandhill Cranes and other
> goodies. Does anyone know if there are a lot of geese there already, and
> what the situation is for other birds? Last time I was there, the Pellet
> Plant had a new structure for housing the incoming food, so the number of
> gulls was greatly reduced. What's the gull situation now?

Crane were reported good as of last weekend, I'm going out there this
weekend so ask me Monday! But, Oct 30 is getting a bit late, I fear
many will have left by then. Though small numbers do spend all
winter there.

Waterfowl numbers are high, but don't know about white-fronted and
snow geese. Also, most of the island is closed for the hunting
season so you have to road-bird from Rettenaur (mispeld, o wel)
Road on the east side. Don't know which days are hunt days,
but should find out this weekend - you might call ODFW, don't
know the number offhand but Ma Bell does, I'm sure.

You might also consider Ridgefield NWR, off I-5. It's just across
the river from Sauvie, and on non-hunt days you can wander about,
unlike the island in winter. They hunt there on the days they
don't on Sauvie.

Both places get good winter raptors, BTW, and most, other than
perhaps rough-legged, should be in by Oct 30.

Don't know about the current gull situation, though your
description is correct in regard to last year, and they
haven't torn down the building which now houses most of the
trash that attracted them in previous years.

e-mail me Monday if you want a Sauvie update...




- Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>