That's a CRANE watch. Sandhill Cranes are moving north. Typically, then
migrate up the east side of the Willamette Valley in late February and stage
at Sauvie Island for a while before moving on to their breeding grounds much
further north. Finding the birds west of the Willamette River is a
challenge. I think the pattern is that they migrate during the day, usually
between late morning and mid-afternoon.
Watchers:
So it's time for folks in Benton, Polk, Yamhill, and Washington Counties to
get out (weather permitting) to the east edge of their respective counties
to look for passing cranes. This is your only time of the year to see these
fine birds in your home county all year. If we get a clear day, watch the
skies and listen for their voices.
Spotters:
To the folks who live where the birds regularly (ho-hum) pass over while
you're doing your spring garden clean-up, you folks in Lane, Linn, Marion,
Clackamas counties, and folks who detect the birds flying north over
Creswell, Eugene, Fern Ridge, Junction City, I have this request. LET US
KNOW AS SOON AS YOU HEAR THE BIRDS. Run in the house and send a quick note
to the list. It will give us a "heads up" to know when to look for the
birds.
Let's see if we can see the "C."
Good birding,
Paul T. Sullivan
paultsullivan@xxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:paultsullivan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
503-472-5306 h
971-237-4864 c
McMinnville
