Sauvie Island: Rentenaar Road and Beyond

The fall migration is on! I've spotted Canadas, white pelicans, and sandhill cranes, already. Today is the last day to explore the gorgeous back roads of the Eastside Unit before they close the gate for winter. Let's make it count!

Sauvie Island is 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 waterfowl and resident raptors, but I like spotting otters.

We'll meet at the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Eastside Viewing Platform (LOCATION DIRECTIONS AT BOTTOM) and set up our scopes to see who's out on the lake. The sandhills are just coming back and the geese are gathering up in larger and larger flocks. Restroom on site.

Then, we'll drive a couple miles down the road to Rentenaar and check out all the wetlands on either side of it, then explore about 4 miles of the roads beyond to investigate Pete's Slough, McNary Lake, Sturgeon Lake, and the warbler forest. The road pops out again at NW Reeder Road, so you can visit at the beaches on the way back, if you like. Still some good blackberries left out there and I intend to eat them. Restrooms on site.

Bring your ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit ($10) (you can pick one up on the island at the Cracker Barrel Store at 15005 NW Sauvie Island Road, it opens 6 AM), water/snacks, binoculars/spotting scope, camera, bugspray, and WEATHER appropriate clothing. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.

DIRECTIONS: From the Wapato 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. Look for my deep blue Honda CRV.