Waterfowl Birding Tour: Sauvie Island

(LOCATION DIRECTIONS AT BOTTOM)

The snow geese are back! Last year, I witnessed the largest flock I've ever seen in my life--over 2000!--from the Eastside Viewing Deck. Every once in a while, they would heave up into the sky in a glittering white wave of feathers and noise and then slowly settle back down again like snow. Sandhill cranes and Tundra swans sang backup in their flutey wooden tones and nesting eagles tittered a few solos in the distance.

Sauvie Island is kind of the holy land for birders, 250 separate species have been spotted in its varied habitats and much of the island has been designated a wildlife area. It's famous for winter waterfowl and resident raptors, so now's the time to polish up the binoculars and get out there.

We'll meet at the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Eastside Viewing Platform (LOCATION DIRECTIONS AT BOTTOM) and set up our scopes (I just got a new tripod!) to see who's out on the lake. There's usually swans, sandhills, ducks, mergansers, herons, egrets, geese, nutria, and harriers at this spot. Restroom on site.

Then, we'll drive 0.5 mi. further down the road to gravel Rentenaar Road and form a slow caravan to the end, pausing at sloughs and fields along the way for sightings. We'll get out at the terminus and walk up the gravel berm to look out over the fields from a great vantage point. Here, I've spotted rare sparrows, California quail, snow geese, swans, egrets, kingfishers, white pelicans, eagles, and owls. Restroom on site.

As a bonus, we can head to the interior of the island to a few spots I know where swans and sandhills hang out.

ATTENTION: Drivers will need an ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit ($10). Lots of stores carry them. You can also pick one up on the island at the Cracker Barrel Store at 15005 NW Sauvie Island Road (by the bridge) or the Reeder Beach RV Country Store at 26048 NW Reeder Road.

Bring $10 cash, your parking permit, water/snacks, binoculars/spotting scope, camera, and WEATHER appropriate clothing. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.

DIRECTIONS: From the Sauvie Island Bridge, stay left to curve around under the bridge onto NW Gillihan Road. Follow it all the way around the right (east) side of the island for about 6.2 mi. Turn right on NW Reeder Road and go about 2.75 mi. to the gravel parking lot of the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Eastside Viewing Platform on your left.