For those with a yen to gaze upon the majestic sandhill cranes in their natural habitat, Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has a treat for you. Come October 11, the DWR, in collaboration with its local partners, is rolling out a red carpet, or rather, a dirt road, for bird enthusiasts eager to witness these feathered travelers. The event is a birdwatcher's dream, providing a chance to see the cranes as they stop over in the Uintah Basin during their annual migration.
According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, there's no charge to participate in the viewing events, but you'll need to register in advance via Eventbrite. Those attending should prepare for a bit of a DIY adventure, as participants are required to use their own vehicles for the auto tours. Kicking off in the brisk early hours from 7-9 a.m., the first session will begin at Jensen Nature Park before venturing to fields around the Green River. The evening session, taking flight from 5-7 p.m., meets at a commuter parking lot off Highway 40 and state Route 88, heading towards Pelican Lake and the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, both prime spots for meeting these grey-bodied, crimson-crowned creatures.
Standing tall at almost 4 feet and boasting a call that carries for miles, the sandhill crane is not just a marvel to photographers and birders; it's a spectacle in and of itself. As DWR Northeastern Region Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby remarked, "They also have loud voices that can be heard up to 2.5 miles away," as per the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, underscoring their unmistakable presence in the basin. Spectators should come camera-ready with telephoto lenses in tow to capture the cranes' intricate dance, a show of courtship meant to impress potential mates. In addition to the spectacle, attendees may learn why a pair of legs is more than just for strutting, as cranes use them as a forceful defense against predators.
