Pick of the Week: Waterfowl watching

There’s not enough snow yet to push elk down to the winter feeding station and popular viewing area at the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Oak Creek Wildlife Area, located 15 miles northwest of Yakima. When and if the animals show up, the wildlife area’s recorded message at 509-653-2390 will be updated.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of migratory ducks and geese are pausing in the Columbia Basin to refuel, and the sight is awesome. One of the better viewing areas lies below O’Sullivan Dam and Potholes Reservoir, on the Columbia Wildlife Refuge’s Marsh Unit along Crab Creek, just below the dam. Access by cruising the Soda Lake Road and using the pullovers.

The Hutchinson and Shiner lake area holds lots of Canada geese, and another popular viewing facility is the cantilever platform overlooking Royal Lake. Free maps of all the “seep lakes” are available at MarDon Resort, on the reservoir.

Mike Meseberg, owner of the resort said, “watching waterfowl inside the Moses Lake city limits can be remarkable in the Alder Street area. A favorite of mine is having a meal at Michael’s On The Lake between about 2 p.m. and dark, and watching the bird show.”