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| 401 State Ave. Alamosa, CO 81101 Phone: 719-589-2553 -- Fax: 719-589-6573 |
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This is a saved page of Cranes to make annual stop (Alamosa Valley Courier) This is a copy we made of the page on 16-Mar-2006. The original page may or may not still be availible and pictures and text may have changed since then. Click Here to view the original page at the original website. |
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 Cranes to make annual stop BY STAFF REPORT Traditional festival this weekend MONTE VISTA — Nature is putting on one of its greatest displays in the San Luis Valley – the annual migration of the greater sandhill cranes. To honor this wildlife wonder area organizations and wildlife agencies are holding the 23rd Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival, this weekend, March 10-12. “Majestic Migration” is the theme of this year’s Monte Vista Crane Festival. For three days the festival will feature tours and workshops on sandhill cranes, wildlife and nature. The cranes start arriving in the San Luis Valley in mid-February as they travel north from their winter homes in Mexico, New Mexico and Arizona to their summer nesting and breeding grounds in Idaho, Montana and Canada. The number of cranes in the valley peaks in mid-March and many linger through the month. The crane festival is organized by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce. About 25,000 cranes land in the valley to eat and rest before continuing north. The San Luis Valley holds large wetland areas that the cranes prefer. Large farm fields where grains are grown also provide the cranes a ready source of food. The birds are abundant in areas Monte Vista and are easy to spot. Wildlife watchers can see the birds most readily in the Monte Vista National Wildlife Area, the Rio Grande State Wildlife Area and the Higel State Wildlife Area. The big birds - four feet tall with wingspans of six feet - can also be seen from numerous rural roads. Many other bird species - including eagles, turkeys and a variety of waterfowl - can also be seen in the area. Birdwatchers are cautioned to be careful when parking and getting out of vehicles. People are also asked to view birds from a distance with binoculars and spotting scopes and to observe trail signs and closure notices. Those entering state wildlife areas also are reminded that they need to possess the new Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp. A variety of guided tours and programs are offered during this weekend’s event. The headquarters meeting place is at the Ski Hi Park building located near U.S. Highway 160 on County Road 4E on the east side of Monte Vista. For more information, see: www.cranefest.com. Festival features include: • Sandhill Sunrise/Sunset Tours - 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, Ski Hi Building. • “March of the Penguins” - 1 p.m. Sat, and 10 a.m. Sun. View the film about a year in the life of the Emperor penguin, and the obstacle they overcome to return to their breeding grounds. Vali 3 Theater, $4. • The San Luis Valley: Sand Dunes and Sandhill Cranes - 7 p.m., Fri., Central Auditorium. Author Susan J. Tweit tells why the cranes of the Rocky Mountain Flyway call the San Luis Valley home. Free and open to the public. • Valley Raptor Tour - 10 a.m., Sat. and Sun., Ski Hi Building. Guided by Hawks Aloft, you’ll see important filed marks for the valley raptors. Donation requested. • Baca National Wildlife Refuge Tour - 10 a.m. Sat. and Sun., Ski Hi Building. Limited to 40 people. Bring a lunch. Donation requested. • Birders Breakfast - 6 to 10 a.m. Sat., Ski Hi Building. Adults, $5, kids $4. • Mountain View Dinner - Cocktails 6 p.m., dinner 7p.m. Seating for only 140. Cost $13. Scheduled workshops: • Bird Watching Hike - 10 a.m., Sat., Monte Vista Middle School. Take a one and-a-half mile stroll around Homelake and the Veterans Center with John Rawinski to view waterfowl and birds of the San Luis Valley. Brings binoculars and warm attire. • Biology of National Wildlife Refuges - 10 a.m., Sat., Monte Vista Middle School. Learn from Refuge biologist Kelli Stone about on-the-ground research. • Wildlife Watch - 1 p.m., Sat., Monte Vista Middle School. Learn the most important skills for successful wildlife viewing in this fun and entertaining class by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Bring your own binoculars. • Geological Society - 1 p.m., Sat., Monte Vista Middle School. Vince Matthew, director of the Colorado Geological Survey, presents a program on the fascinating geology of the San Luis Valley. • Wildflower Presentation - 2:30 p.m., Sat., Monte Vista Middle School. Pam and David Irwin, authors of “Colorado’s Best Wildflower Hikes,” present a scenic slide program on the beauty of Colorado wildlife. • Birding Trail - 2:30 p.m., Sat., Monte Vista Middle School. John Koshak, coordinator of the Watchable Wildlife program with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, presents an introduction to the new Colorado Birding Trail. Send us your comments about this article. |
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