Field trips sell out for the Sandhill Crane Festival north of Tri-Cities. Register soon

Registration for the popular annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival opens Feb. 1.

Many wildlife viewing and geology tours sell out quickly, so participates are urged to register early for the event March 20-22.

The stars of the event are the 35,000 sandhill cranes passing through the Mid-Columbia on their way north. Guided field trips are offered to places where the sandhill cranes gather near Othello, about a 50-mile drive north from the Tri-Cities.

A wide range of other field trips, with varying prices, are scheduled. They include tours by bike, by boat and hiking to learn about geology, spot birds and see waterfalls.

Once again the festival has booked top experts in their field, said Dan Haas, visitor services manager for Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

They include Sarah Koenigsberg, who will explain the roles beavers play in the environment, Friday night of the festival and Kaeli Swift, who will discuss how birds deal with changes in the environment, Saturday night.

Dozens of additional lectures on wildlife, plants, outdoor photography, geology and climate change are planned all day Saturday. Some of the programs and activities are planned specifically for children.

The festival costs $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, with free admission for children under 12 with a paid adult admission. Meals and field trips are extra, with general admission tickets also required for field trips.

See the full schedule and information on tickets at at OthelloSandhillCraneFestival.org.