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contact the nature center at 810-796-3200.
Sandhill Cranes at Sunrise
Wednesday, November 10 through Friday, November 12, 2010Sandhill crane numbers have increased significantly in recent years, and many have visited one of the nearby areas in Michigan where large numbers of these magnificent birds congregate in the fall. On this short field tour, we will travel to Jasper-Pulaski State Game Area in northern Indiana where even greater numbers of sandhill cranes gather in November. We will arrive at the state game area at dawn and experience the sights and sounds of between twenty and thirty thousand cranes exiting their nighttime roost to begin a day of feeding in nearby fields. It is an amazing and unforgettable spectacle. During the remainder of this two-day tour, we will visit natural areas and view open water along the Lake Michigan coast in southwest Michigan. The habitats along the lake are beautiful in late fall, and we will be treated to a combination of striking scenery and a variety of migrating birds, including such species as common loon, horned grebe, diving ducks, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds. The fee for this tour is $325.00 ($295.00 member) and includes room (double occupancy), meals, transportation on Thursday, entrance fees, and naturalist services.