Othello welcomes Sandhill Crane Festival this weekend

Othello’s 17th annual Sandhill Crane Festival is this weekend, March 28-30.

The event includes numerous guided tours to view some of the thousands of sandhill cranes that visit the Othello area each spring as they migrate northward from their wintering grounds in California to the coast of Alaska, where they spend the summer. Their flyway takes them through the Othello area.

The cranes stop at area cornfields to feed and regain energy before making the last leg of their journey. The cranes stay in Columbia Basin for four to six weeks.

About 20 other tours to view other wildlife species, including burrowing owls, ice age floods geology and other topics are available as are bike tours to view cranes while cycling the area.

Numerous lectures about birding, wildlife, geology and other nature topics are on tap throughout the weekend. A full menu of wildlife-focused activities and games are scheduled on Saturday for younger visitors.

Festival program brochures are available by calling 1-866-SANDHIL. The brochure, registration form, and programs are available at the festival’s website, http://othellosandhillcranefestival.org.