Sandhill Cranes at Merced Wildlife Refuge 
Credit: Linda Gast/Sierra Sun Times

October 18, 2019 - Have you heard it? The annual spectacle that is the return of the sandhill cranes to the San Joaquin Valley is underway. Cranes began arriving on the San Luis NWR Complex last week and it is time for our annual Crane Day!

On Saturday, October 19, we will offer two opportunities to join refuge staff for a guided tour to experience the bird that early wildlife conservationist Aldo Leopold called, “wildness incarnate.”

The first tour, for the early birds, will be from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. The second will be from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. to catch the spectacular evening "fly-in" when waves of cranes return to the refuge to roost for the night. Both tours will meet at the main entrance kiosk at the Merced NWR. The tours will begin with an introduction to the natural history of the sandhill crane. Participants will then be able to carpool around the auto tour route, led by a staff member, with opportunities to observe and learn to identify the sandhill cranes and other winter birds that are arriving in great numbers. Each tour will last approximately 2 hours.

There is no need to sign up in advance for Crane Day tours – just show up at the refuge entrance at 8:00 a.m. and/or 5:30 p.m. – and as always, this event is free.

The Merced NWR is located at 7430 W. Sandy Mush Rd, Merced, CA 95341.

Call the Refuge Complex at 209/826-3508 for more information, driving directions, or to ask questions.
Source: U.S. FWS