The masses of sandhill cranes near Othello may be leaving soon, but it
seems to get a little better every week around sunset. The main roost
now is well south of SR 26 at MP 30, so mid-day treks may be
unproductive. Best viewing is before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. at
the Corfu area of Columbia NWR, on the south side of SR 26. The corn
field had stubble burned Tuesday, and last night there were 3500
cranes, 10,000+ Canada geese, and more than 30,000 ducks (mallards and
a few pintails) feeding in 200 acres of corn and alfalfa. Best
viewing before sunset is Road C SE near the end of the road, but the
flight of ducks from Road B SE (Corfu Road) at sunset is spectacular.

Great egrets, cinnamon teal, stilts and avocets have arrived, and
other shorebirds including Baird's sandpiper have already made an
appearance. At least 30 w.f. geese remain in Marsh Unit 1 of Columbia
NWR, which is a good viewing area for the next month as we remove
water for shorebirds.

Randy Hill, Othello