Flight of the Cranes

The Sandhill Cranes have migrated to the Lodi Area. They can be spoted in agricultural fields along Woodbridge Road and the Isenberg Crane Reserve. This year's Sandhill Crane Festival is this weekend at Hutchins Street Square. Tours are included. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

Flight of the Cranes

Celebrate the migration of Sandhill Cranes to Lodi-area wetlands with this weekend's annual Sandhill Crane Festival.

By Lauren Nelson
Lodi Living Editor

Saturday, November 8, 2008 5:50 AM PST

Comments (1 comment(s))

Crisp, refreshing air and the amalgamation of amber and rust-colored leaves on sidewalks aren't the only signs that it's fall in Lodi. The majestic Sandhill Cranes have returned from their migration and will call Lodi-area marshy, muddy wetlands home for the winter.

To celebrate their arrival and to spread awareness about the endangerment of the large bird, Lodi is hosting the Annual Sandhill Crane Festival this weekend.

During the three-day event that kicked off Friday, visitors from Lodi, Sacramento and the Bay Area will tour local wetlands in the morning and in the evening. At Hutchins Street Square, there will be lectures by Western Crane Conservation Manager Gary Ivey, crane art exhibits, a how-to-photograph-wildlife class, a wine event and children's and family activities.

"I think it's going to be bigger and better (than ever)," said Maggie Talbot, a volunteer spokesperson for the festival. "It's going to be a nifty thing."

The endangered cranes that have become a Lodi mascot flock from local wetlands at sunrise and return to roost at sunset. During the day, they feed on insects and grains in open fields. They stay for five or six months and then migrate again to areas in Northern California, eastern Oregon and even the Bering Sea in Siberia.

There are 15 subspecies of Sandhill Cranes in the world, and three flock to the Pacific. They are the lesser Sandhill Cranes, Canadian Sandhill Cranes and the greater Sandhill Crane. They differ in size, the largest being the greatest Sandhill Crane and the smallest being the lesser Sandhill Crane. The lesser cranes like to feed on alfalfa, while the greater feed on grain.

As the featured speaker, Ivey will talk about Pacific Flyaway Cranes. Ivey has dedicated 30 years of research to cranes. From Bend, Ore., Ivey is living in Lodi until the Sandhill Cranes leave the wintering ground. His work in Lodi is part of his two-year study on wintering in California as works toward his Ph.D. from Oregon State University.

Part of his research includes a satellite project that tracks 10 lesser Sandhill Cranes from Homer, Alaska with satellite telemetry remote radio tracking. It's works like a GPs, but is a lot smaller.

A pair of Sandhill Cranes take flight above the Isenberg Crane Reserve on Woodbrdige Road. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

"They don't have a GPS small enough for cranes," Ivey said.

The remotes are about 40 grams and are placed on the legs of the birds. The data is retrieved once a week and shown on the Western Ecological Research Center Web site.

"People can see where they started and how they migrated to California," Ivey said.

Most of the Sandhill cranes left British Columbia, Washington and Oregon in mid-September and arrived in California the second week in October. Many stayed in Washington for two weeks.

Those, like Ivey, are often awe-struck by the large birds and their patterns. They have dedicated their lives to trying to protect the greater Sandhill Crane, which has been classified as an endangered species by the state of California.

The degradation of wetlands and ravines are one of the greatest threats to cranes.

Through the years, Ivey has also seen a side of Sandhill Cranes that many may have not, an almost humanistic side.

Sandhill cranes don't raise a lot of young. Ivey says most cranes only lay two eggs and only raise one or two young. Some don't raise any.

"They have a lot of emotions if you get to know them. Sometimes, they divorce. They're kind of like people," he said.

For more information about satellite telemetry remote radio tracking, visit http://www.werc.usgs.gov/sattrack/cranes/index.html.

Tours

Getting out and seeing the Sandhill Cranes first hand
Art in the field
See the Cosumnes River Preserve through the eyes of artists. Leisurely stroll the marsh loop, do a little birding, and visit with stationed artists along the way. For information about the preserve, visit http://www.cosumnes.org.
Bald Eagles by Boat
Enjoy a drive toward the Sierra Nevada foothills in route to Pardee Reservoir. There you will meet biologist James Jones and search for early arrivals of golden and bald eagles.
Beginning Birding
Join an expert birder as you learn basic birding techniques in a fun and easy way in an old growth riparian habitat.
Birding Hot Spots
Join fellow experienced birders as you visit 4 local hot spots in search of the Lodi area's many resident and wintering birds. The differing habitats provide great variety of birds from shore birds to wintering warblers.
Cosumnes River Preserve
Jointly managed by the Nature Conservancy and the Bureau of Land Management, the Cosumnes River Preserve is the finest Valley Oak riparian forest and wetland in California.
Crane Fly-in
This tour takes center stage as the festival highlight. Sandhill cranes spend their days eating and lounging in the surrounding fields. At dusk, they all converge in large groups that often number into the thousands.
Crane Roving
During the day cranes may be vocalizing, feeding, dancing, flying or resting. Often cranes "bounce" from one feeding field to another, offering good opportunity to observe behaviors not seen in the evening fly in.
Cranes on Staten Island
Staten Island is haven for both the greater and lesser Sandhill cranes.
Delta Birding Cruise
Take advantage of the Delta waterways as you cruise along through the Sandhill crane habitat.
Delta Meadows Canoeing
Nestled amidst the Sacramento and Mokelumne rivers this naturalist-led canoe trip takes you through 2 miles of riparian retreat.
Junior naturalist his tour provides the opportunity to interact with nature in a fun and hands-on way.
Lodi Lake Bird Walk
Get acquainted with one of the area's best-kept secrets. Top birders frequent this "hot spot" location for the variety of species.
Mokelumne River Rendezvous
Join local birders in a light hike along the upper Mokelumne River near Camanche Dam, where they will help you scout more than 35 species.
Photograph the Fly-in (new tour)
Experiencing the fly in is often described as breath taking. Many who view the Sandhill cranes hope to capture the beauty of cranes dancing in the field or flying across the sunset.
Raptor Ramble
As many as 14 species of diurnal raptors can be found on this driving tour near Linden. Learn techniques for identifying hawks, both in flight and perched.
Up Close and Exotic
Take advantage of a special pass and a behind-the-scenes look into our local zoo.
Wine Tasting and Lunch
Start off with a stroll through the Turner Road Vintners front ponds, birding for ruddy duck, black swans, geese, and songbirds.
Wildlife photography techniques
An opportunity to learn technique and tips for improving your craft of the lens. Micke Grove Zoo is the backdrop, offering a variety of birds from around the world.
Tour spaces are limited. Adults are over 17, youth 12-17, and children under 12 years. Tours are held rain or shine. For more information, visit http://www.cranefestival.com/tours.html.
Source: Sandhill Crane Festival

Viewing Tips

Limit your movement: While feeding, some cranes will be on the lookout. Your close movement will cause the flock to fly away, using valuable energy reserves. Keep your distance to at least 400 yards.
Be quiet: While there may only be a few watching for you, they will all be listening for you.
Be patient: Once you get a good view, sit tight and you're likely to see some interesting behavior.
The Department of Fish and Game offers winter guided trips to see Sandhill Cranes with the aid of a spotting scope.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes