20th annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival this weekend

The 20th Annual Sandhill Crane Festival lands in Othello March 24th as the huge migrating birds make their famous stop-over on their way from California to Alaska.

Festival Co-chairs Kurt and Chris Braunwart  say the birds are 3 1/2 feet tall and weigh over 6 pounds.  The largest concentration of sandhill cranes migrating in the Pacific Flyway are attracted to Othello’s rich croplands and wetlands.  All three subspecies of sandhill cranes in Washington—greater, lesser and Canadian—are listed as endangered at the state level by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Braunwart’s suggest visitors gather Saturday at Othello High School to get the best tour to view the 35,000 sandhill cranes in their resting and feeding areas.  The 3 day event March 24th -26th features tours, lectures and food booths