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The International Crane Foundation (ICF) works worldwide to conserve cranes and the wetland and grassland communities on which they depend. Founded in 1973, ICF today operates active programs in captive breeding, re-introduction, research, habitat protection and public education. For membership information, call 606-356-9462 or write:
E-11376 Shady Lane Road
Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913-0447, USA
Phone: (608) 356-9462
Fax: (608) 356-9465
E-mail: gordon.icf@baraboo.com
 Finding Cranes In Wisconsin
Sandhill Wildlife Demonstration Area, Wood County
This area hosts one of the great wildlife gatherings in Wisconsin. Flocks of up to 5,000 Sandhills wing their way back to the refuge in the early evening after foraging in nearby fields during the day. The best time for viewing is October, but there are nesting pairs here throughout the summer. Observation towers are available. For more information, contact the Sandhill Wildlife Demonstration Area, Box 156, Babcock, WI 54413; (715) 884-2437.
Navarino Wildlife Area, Shawano County
Over 14,000 acres of state-owned marsh, upland forest, bottomland, and prairie provide a home to juvenile Sandhill flocks all summer, and large migrating flocks during spring and fall. This area also features migrating tundra swans. Contact the Shawano DNR Office, 647 Lakeland Road, Shawano, WI 54166; (715) 524-2183.
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Burnett County
Just east of the Minnesota border, this area features diverse prairie and wetland communities. Fifty miles of road provide excellent opportunities for viewing a variety of wildlife, including 4,000 cranes during fall migration. Contact Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Box 367, Grantsburg, WI 54840; (715) 463-2899.
George W. Mead Wildlife Area, Marathon County
Sandhill Cranes and a large variety of waterfowl can be found within Mead's 30,000 acres. Foot trails and dikes lead from parking areas to observation spots. Trumpeter swans have been reintroduced into this area in recent years. Write to S-2148 County Highway S, Milladore, WI 54454, or call (715) 457-6771.
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Juneau County
Established in 1939, this 44,000 acre refuge includes wetland, water, and upland areas. The fall migration features large numbers of Sandhill Cranes as well as geese, ducks, and a few tundra swans. It is located in the northwest corner of Juneau County, about six miles from Necedah. Contact the refuge at W7996 20th Street West, Necedah, WI 54646; (608) 565-2551.
White River Wildlife Area, Green Lake County
This 11,000 acre, state-owned area is located a few miles north of Princeton along County Highway D. Both spring and fall migrations of Sandhill Cranes can be spectacular. See contacts below. Grand River Wildlife Area, Green Lake and Marquette Counties Located between Montello and Kingston, this site encompasses more than 7,000 acres, much of which is water. A major fall staging area, trails and dikes throughout the marsh make observation of cranes easy. See contacts below.
Germania Wildlife Area, Marquette County
Established in 1955, Germania should be visited in the spring to see large flocks of Sandhill Cranes. This area is located north of Montello and Princeton, with the main entrance on County Highway N.
Contact the Berlin DNR Office, Box 343, Berlin, WI 54923; (414) 361-3149, for information about White River, Grand River, and Germania Wildlife Areas.
Pine Island Wildlife Area, Columbia County
Greater Sandhill Cranes are often observed in this marsh and nearby fields, especially during spring and fall. To reach a good viewing area, take Shady Lane Road east (turn left out of ICF's parking lot) until it ends. Turn left on Van Hoosen Road, then left on Schepp Road to Levee Road. Head east (right) on Levee Road for five miles, and stop at the "Ross Bennett" overlook on the south side of the road.
French Creek Wildlife Area, Columbia County
Many species of waterfowl are found here throughout the year, including nesting and migrating cranes. To get to French Creek, travel east through Portage on Highway 33 and turn left on County Highway F. Head north for 2-1/2 miles, then turn right on Clark Road. Go east one mile, then turn left on Dumke Road. After one mile, turn right on Monthey Road and proceed 0.4 miles. The unmarked turnoff for the wildlife area is on the left. Good viewing areas are found along the trail that leaves the parking lot.
Finding Cranes In The Midwest
Jasper-Pulaski State Fish and Wildlife Area, Indiana
Jasper-Pulaski hosts the largest gathering of Greater Sandhill Cranes during their southward migration from the Midwest. Cranes stage here from late September to mid-December, peaking around the second week of November. Flocks exceeding 16,000 birds are common, and more than 32,000 staged here during the fall of 1992. Spring flocks are much smaller. An observation deck and interpretive materials are available. Contact Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area, Route I Box 216, Medaryville, IN 47957; (219) 843-4841.
Phyllis Haehnle Sanctuary, Michigan
Shallow open water and agricultural fields attract over 3,800 Sandhills to Michigan's largest staging area from October to mid-November. Six miles northeast of Jackson, the site is handicapped accessible.
Contact: Ron Hoffman, 6142 Territorial Rd., Pleasant Lake, MI 49272;
(517) 769-6891; e-mail: hoffman@dmci.net.
Baker Sanctuary, Michigan
Donated to the Michigan Audubon Society in 1941, this area features examples of nearly all the natural communities found in southern Michigan. The sanctuary sponsors a Sandhill Crane & Art Festival each fall and hosts up to 4,000 migrating Sandhills from October to mid-November.
Contact: Mike Boyce, 21145 Fifteen Mile Rd., Bellevue, MI 49021;
269-763-3090; e-mail: manager@bakersanctuary.org.
Finding Cranes Across The United States
Platte River, Nebraska
From late February to early April, thousands of north bound Lesser and Canadian Sandhill Cranes crowd together in the Platte River basin waiting for winter to recede farther north. Over a half-million Sandhills and an occasional Whooping Crane may be seen feeding in grain fields near the river. Good viewing areas include a 40 mile stretch of the river between Kearney and Grand Island. In mid-March, Grand Island hosts the “Wings Over the Platte” celebration (1-800-658-3178). Other contacts include the Kearney Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 607, 1007 2nd Ave., Kearney, NE 68848; 1-800-227-8340. The National Audubon Society offers viewing blinds by reservation; contact Rowe Sanctuary at Route 2, Box 146, Gibbon, NE 68840; (308) 468-5282.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas
From November to March, about 140 Whooping Cranes and many Sandhills make the Aransas NWR their winter home. Local tour operators run sightseeing boats along the Intracoastal Waterway. For more information, contact the Aransas NWR, P.O. Box 100, Austwell, TX 77950; (512) 286-3559.
Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho
Grays Lake NWR is the summer home of a large flock of Greater Sandhill Cranes. Visibility peaks between May and mid-June and from mid-August to mid September. Contact Grays Lake NWR, 74 Grays Lake Rd., Wayan, ID 83285; (208) 574-2755.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Best viewing of over 20,000 wintering Sandhill Cranes occurs from mid-November to mid-February. The few survivors of the Grays Lake Whooping Crane flock may also be visible. Soccoro hosts the annual “Festival of the Cranes” on the third weekend in November. Contact Bosque del Apache NWR, Box 1246, Soccoro, NM 87801; (505) 835-1828.
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, California
Sandhills gather here from September to mid-March, peaking at about 14,000 in mid-November. Contact San Luis NWR, P.O. Box 2176, 947 N. Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos, CA 93635; (209) 826-3508.
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado
Approximately 20,000 Sandhills and a few Whooping Cranes are found here in both spring (late February to early April) and fall (October). The town also hosts the annual "Monte Vista Crane Festival" in mid March. Contact Monte Vista NWR, 9383 El Rancho Lane, Alamosa, CO 81101; (719) 589-4021.
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
This refuge is a staging area for Sandhill Cranes in both spring and fall. About 200 pairs nest at the refuge and remain through the summer. Contact Malheur NWR, HC 72 Box 245, Princeton, OR 97721; (503) 493-2612.
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Thousands of Sandhills winter in this refuge from mid-October to January. Contact Bitter Lake NWR, P.O. Box 7, Roswell, NM 88202; (505) 622-6755.
Paynes Prairie State Preserve, Florida
Ten miles south of Gainesville, this 21,000-acre preserve hosts 50 pairs of resident Florida Sandhill Cranes as well as thousands of migratory Greater Sandhills in winter. From November to April, the preserve offers free, guided hikes of two and four miles. Contact Paynes Prairie State Preserve, Route 2, Box 41, Micanopy, FL 32667; (352) 466-4100.
The preceding text is reproduced from the International Crane Foundation brochure Finding Cranes (updated February 1996).
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