Coming South: Sandhill Crane migration

Their annual migration is underway, and Sandhill Cranes are beginning to arrive at the Hiwassee Refuge.

The 1000 acre Hiwassee Refuge, operated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, is located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Hiwassee rivers at the center of the former Cherokee Nation. It is a stopover for tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes migrating their way to Florida from their summer breeding grounds in Wisconsin and points further north in Canada.

Sandhill Cranes are believed to be one of the oldest known species of birds, with fossil records dating back ten million years or more. Although they are common, they require specific wetland habitat that is under constant threat from development.

Each year, TWRA sponsors the Cherokee Indian Heritage and Sandhill Crane Viewing Days (recently renamed the "Annual Cherokee-Crane Days"). During the event, wildlife experts with spotting scopes man an observation deck at the refuge, where visitors can watch cranes in their natural habitat and learn about their annual migration. This year's event will be held January 19-20, 2008. More information can be found here. Local info, directions, and an overview map can be found here, and a more detailed map (PDF format) is here.

It's a truly amazing and awe-inspiring sight to look out over the river and mud flats and corn fields and see tens of thousands of cranes and to watch huge flocks arriving and departing. The racket they make is pretty incredible, too. The official observation area is off Blythe Ferry Road near Birchwood TN, but you can drive any of the back roads in the area and see thousands of Sandhill Cranes around the farms and cornfields.

The Hiwassee Refuge plays another important role as a stopover for the few remaining Whooping Cranes. Closely related to Sandhill Cranes, Whooping Cranes were nearly extinct, but thanks to the efforts of conservationists, and particularly Operation Migration, they are slowly being reestablished.

Each year, Operation Migration leads Whooping Cranes hatched in captivity on the migration South. Using ultralight aircraft, Operation Migration teaches the cranes safe migration routes in hopes they can learn to survive in the wild.

Tragedy befell the "Class of 2006" Whooping Cranes last year, when nearly the entire group was killed by a violent storm at their Florida wildlife refuge.

This year's migration is underway, but one Whooping Crane has strayed and gone missing. Wearing a green leg band, crane number 733 was last seen Northeast of Louisville, KY. Anyone spotting the crane is asked to call 1-800-675-2618.

A visit to the Hiwassee Refuge is well worth the trip for outdoor and nature enthusiasts. You can see cranes there starting any time in December, with peak activity occurring around the viewing days event in January. If you're lucky, you might even spot one of the rare Whooping Cranes during the event.