The spring migration of greater sandhill cranes is in full force in southern Colorado. In conjunction, the annual Monte Vista Crane Festival is scheduled for Friday through Sunday.
“People in Colorado should take time to see the cranes; the migration is truly one of nature’s wonders,” said Rick Basagoitia, area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the San Luis Valley.
The cranes start arriving in late February, flying from their winter nesting grounds, primarily in New Mexico. The large wetland areas, wildlife refuges and grain fields in the San Luis Valley draw in about 25,000 birds. The cranes stop in the valley to rest up and re-fuel for their trip north to their summer nesting and breeding grounds in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Cranes are among the oldest living species on the planet: Fossil records for cranes date back 9 million years. The birds that migrate through Colorado are the largest of the North American sandhill subspecies, standing 4 feet tall with a wingspan of up to 7 feet and weighing in at 11 pounds. Besides their imposing size, the birds issue a continuous, distinctive and haunting call.
At this time of year cranes are engaged in their mating ritual and perform an elaborate and elegant hopping dance to gain the attention of other birds.
The cranes are most abundant at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, 6 miles south of Monte Vista on Colorado Highway 15. The birds also are easily seen in farm and ranch fields around Monte Vista.
Wildlife watchers can also see the birds at the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge southeast of Alamosa, and at the Rio Grande, Higel and Russell Lakes state wildlife areas. Plenty of birds can also be seen in the many agricultural fields near Monte Vista and Alamosa.
The cranes are most active at dawn and at dusk when they’re moving back and forth from their nighttime roosting areas. Be sure to dress warm as temperatures can be very cold in the valley.
Free tours are offered all three festival days from 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the birds are most active. Visitors take buses to various spots on the wildlife refuge, and local experts talk about the migration and the refuge.
Besides the tours, a variety of workshops are put on by bird, wildlife and photography experts. An arts and crafts fair continues through the weekend at the headquarters building.
Even if you can’t make it this weekend, there’s still time. The number of cranes in the valley peaks in mid-March, and many linger through the month.
Many other bird species – including eagles, turkeys and a variety of waterfowl – can also be seen throughout the San Luis Valley.
johnp@durangoherald.com