At 09:39 AM 2/24/98 -0800, Bruce Fischer (Volt Computer) wrote:
>I have a chance to take my Dad birding in the Vancouver/Portland region this
>weekend (2/28). He'd really like to see a Sandhill Crane. Are they around
>this time of year? Where would be the best spot to find them?

There are a few that overwinter on Sauvie Island and which at times can be
seen at Ridgefield NWR. Though they're just across the Columbia from each
other, perhaps a mile as the crane flies, by road it's closer to 30-40 miles
apart! Much of Sauvie Island is still closed due to hunting season, but
Oak Island - one of my favorite spots - opened at the end of January. Because
of the small numbers and because of closures, you may or may not see crane on
the Island but you'll certainly hear them. Check with Ridgefield NWR to see
when they're open, they close to non-hunters on hunt days. Oak Island, on
Sauvie Island, is open daily as it's not a hunt unit.

Six-eight weeks from now the Island will be covered with sandhills, of
course...


- Don Baccus, Portland OR <dhogaza at pacifier.com>
Nature photos, on-line guides, and other goodies at
http://donb.photo.net