Thousands of these dinosaur-like birds will soon be migrating through Michigan

Within the coming weeks, Michigan will witness the spectacular migration of one of many oldest chicken species on the planet.

Sandhill cranes are sometimes in comparison with dwelling dinosaurs, and for good cause: not solely are they believed to have existed of their current type for greater than 2.5 million years, their vivid yellow eyes, six-foot wingspans and trumpeting calls make them seem to be creatures from Jurassic Park.

This time of 12 months, sandhill cranes start their annual migration from their summer season breeding grounds throughout northern North America to the winter properties the southern U.S. and northern Mexico. Because the species’ migration peaks from mid-October by November, hundreds of those swish giants move by the Nice Lakes and Plains states, creating jaw-dropping scenes after they congregate in massive teams to relaxation and refuel because the solar goes down.

In Michigan, these gatherings most frequently occur within the Decrease Peninsula in massive fields and marshes. For many who need to witness this phenomenon in individual, the next locations are identified sandhill crane migration stop-over websites:

Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary: This 980-acre sanctuary close to Belleview was North America’s first chicken sanctuary devoted particularly to the conservation of sandhill cranes. The protect gives implausible views of the birds as massive teams fly overhead to roost at Huge Marsh Lake, and can be dwelling to the annual CraneFest each October. Extra data right here

Haehnle Sanctuary: The 1,000-acre Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Audubon Sanctuary close to Waterloo Recreation Space in Jackson County is the most important Michigan roosting space for sandhill cranes. Deliver your binoculars and put together to be wowed. Extra data at haehnlesanctuary.org

Waterloo Recreation Space: The mountain climbing and nature trails at this large park are well worth the journey alone, however the 3,000 acres of protected wetlands, which give important nesting habitat for sandhill cranes, are a bonus for birdwatching this time of 12 months. Park data right here

Kensington Metropark: Spend a day strolling this in style Detroit-area Metropark’s pretty nature trails, that are a major space for nature pictures and seeing sandhill cranes up shut. (You might be shocked to see that a few of the park’s cranes aren’t afraid of people; it’s nonetheless a fantastic thought to maintain your distance, although, and positively don’t try and feed them, as their payments are very sharp.) Park data right here

Particular occasion: CraneFest 2022. This two-day annual occasion invitations folks to have fun the annual fall migration of hundreds of sandhill cranes, and witness when the birds depart close by fields at nightfall en masse and head to Huge Marsh Lake. The occasion contains an artists’ village, nature walks, meals truck, youngsters’s exercise tent, a particular Michigan Birds of Prey program, and extra. Hosted by Kiwanis Membership of Battle Creek. October 8 & 9 from midday till nightfall. Positioned on the Kiwanis Youth Conservation Space, 22300 15 Mile Rd., Bellevue, Mich. Particulars right here

Be taught extra about Michigan’s sandhill cranes, together with extra about crane viewing and conservation, right here at Michigan Audubon and the Michigan DNR’s sandhill crane migration web page.

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