Top 4 Places to Visit Sandhill Cranes in California

Crane-down is happening now in the Central Valley

 

Top 4 Places to Visit Spectacular Sandhill Cranes in California Dear KAREN, Sandhill Cranes are ancient birds, having lived on Earth for 2.5 million years! Their wingspans can reach seven feet wide, making them spectacular soaring birds.  The Central Valley is the best place to witness the Sandhill Crane migration. Tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes are arriving to spend the winter at protected wetlands and agricultural lands in the Central Valley after their long migrations from places as far away as Siberia or Alaska.  Taking a trip to encounter Sandhill Cranes is nothing short of a magical experience. At dawn or dusk, you can watch thousands of cranes leaving or arriving at their overnight roost sites. They roost in large numbers in shallow water in agricultural fields or wetlands. During the day, they flock to surrounding landscapes to feed. We hope you visit one of the top four places to encounter spectacular Sandhill Cranes!  Sincerely, Andrea Jones Director of Bird Conservation Audubon California

Sandhill Cranes. Photo: Chokchai Leangsuksun/Audubon Photography Awards

Merced National Wildlife Refuge The Merced NWR hosts the largest wintering concentration of Lesser Sandhill Cranes in the Pacific Flyway. Over 15,000 Sandhill Cranes are in the grasslands by Thanksgiving. Groundwater pumped into the Merced Refuge provides much-needed habitat for ducks, geese, cranes, shorebirds, and other wildlife each winter. You can also see Greater White-fronted Geese, White-faced Ibis, Pintails, Shovelers, Black-necked Stilts, Dunlin, and Dowitchers. Come witness how important the Central Valley refuge system is for migratory birds. Visit

Sandhill Cranes. Photo: Kimberly Beauchemin/Audubon Photography Awards

Staten Island Located in the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Staten is 9,200 acres located between the North and South Forks of the Mokelumne River. Staten Island has been a wintering destination for Sandhill Cranes moving along the Pacific Flyway for more than 40 years. The Nature Conservancy protects the island as a place for wildlife-friendly agriculture that supports conservation along the flyway, including crops such as corn, triticale, potatoes, alfalfa, and irrigated pasture. The best time to see cranes here is at dawn as they fly-off and sunset as they return to their roost sites on the island. Visit

Sandhill Cranes. Photo: Donna Bourdon/Audubon Photography Awards

Pixley National Wildlife Refuge Thousands of wintering Sandhill Cranes utilize the refuge from late September through late February. The majority of the Sandhill Cranes that winter at Pixley NWR come from as far as Homer, Alaska. The foot trail at Pixley NWR is open from sunrise to sunset. The observation deck at the end of the foot trail is the best vantage point to view large numbers of Sandhill Cranes as they fly off and onto the refuge, as they forage and roost. Bring a flashlight, sturdy comfortable shoes, and layers.   Visit

Sandhill Crane. Photo: Frances Gaines/Audubon Photography Awards

Cosumnes River Preserve At this location, there is excellent viewing by car. Drive west of Franklin Blvd., along Desmond Road, and beside Bruceville Road (just south of Twin Cities Rd.). The best chance to see the cranes is during the day while the cranes feed on the fields. You may pull off to the side of the road, but do not walk onto the levee. This will scare the birds. Viewing is best done from your car. Visit           Sandhill Crane. Photo: Garrett Scales/Audubon Photography Awards

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