Sand Hill Cranes in Big Valley?

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JeffGreiner
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2025 12:38 pm

Sand Hill Cranes in Big Valley?

Post by JeffGreiner » Sun Feb 08, 2026 8:29 pm

has anyone witnessed the Sand hill cranes in the Methow? where have you been seeing them? i'd lover to check them out! we used to get huge flocks of 500 or more migrating thru northern michigan. i didn't know they came thru here but some folks have said they are around here now.

wildramble
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:19 am

Re: Sand Hill Cranes in Big Valley?

Post by wildramble » Sun Feb 08, 2026 9:56 pm

Othello in the Columbia Basin hosts a sandhill crane festival every year where thousands alight against the backdrop of the Saddle mountains. Dates are 20, 21, 22March of 2026.
https://www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org/

tomandmonica
Posts: 157
Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:28 am

Re: Sand Hill Cranes in Big Valley?

Post by tomandmonica » Sun Feb 08, 2026 10:02 pm

I saw and photographed one last year at Big Valley, west of Winthrop. They have been sighted there often by others. May 15. Photos would be on my FB page or that of Methow Nature Notes.

SherpaDave
Posts: 85
Joined: Fri May 22, 2020 9:17 pm

Re: Sand Hill Cranes in Big Valley?

Post by SherpaDave » Mon Feb 09, 2026 8:14 am

Many thousands also stop in the fields and wetlands of the Yakima river just northwest of Richland each spring. They stay to fuel up for about 3 weeks and then head north to the tundra for the summer.

Go_Easy
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2020 5:29 pm

Re: Sand Hill Cranes in Big Valley?

Post by Go_Easy » Mon Feb 09, 2026 9:06 am

Here is a link to their range and migration routes, from the international crane foundation.

https://savingcranes.org/species/sandhill-crane/

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