Sandhill Cranes at Crex Meadows SWA

Date/Time
Tue, Oct 17 , 2017
4:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Location
Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area
102 E Crex Ave,
Grantsburg, Wisconsin 54840

Nine million year old fossils of Sandhill Cranes have been found in the Midwest! In historic times, Greater Sandhill Cranes have congregated by the thousands every autumn evening  in the marshes and ponds now called Crex Meadows, located on the north side of Grantsburg, WI. People likewise gather to witness the sight of seemingly never ending strands and haunting sounds as the birds seek and settle into shelter for the night. Perhaps this is your year to experience anew or again this enduring ritual.

Meet at 4 PM at the Visitors Center (VC) at Crex Meadow State Wildlife Area in Grantsburg WI. We will talk briefly about the cranes, Crex, and carpooling and leave from the VC about 4:30 returning about 8:15 to the same parking lot. The VC closes at 4:30 PM.

There might be a group carpooling from the Twin Cities about noon; check with Louise in early September if you are interested in that.

Special Instructions

Dress for cooling temperatures during the evening, bring spotting scope if you have one, sunscreen, bug spray, and a brimmed hat. We will carpool from the Visitors Center.

Directions

Take I-35 North to the Rock Creek/Grantsburg Exit (Highway 70), approximately 34 miles from Forest Lake.  Take exit and turn right (EAST) on Highway 70.  Follow for 15 miles (into Wisconsin) to the stop light in Grantsburg.  Turn left (NORTH) onto Pine Street.  Follow the goose signs through town to the Visitor Center, located on the NE corner of the junction of County Rd “D” and  County Road “F”.  It is 52 miles from Forest Lake to the Visitors Center.  Meet in the VC parking lot at 4:00.

Registration

Register with Louise Eidsmoe

Difficulty

Easy. In an effort to not spook the cranes, we stay close to the cars.

Leaders

Louise Eidsmoe   651 231 0453   eidsmoel@comcast.net

Chase Davies        651 633 1663   ccdavies@aol.com