Sandhill Cranes have been migrating through the Chicago region. While March is generally the peak of their spring migration, late-season cold and storms have delayed crane migration a bit, even causing some groups to turn back south for a time. But as spring takes hold in our area, more cranes are migrating north and can be seen by those who know what to watch for.
After wintering in the southern United States and Mexico, Sandhill Cranes travel through the Chicago area in route to breeding grounds farther north. Although they’re rare breeders in Illinois, some Sandhill Cranes nest in more remote wetland areas of McHenry and Lake counties.
Knowing what Sandhill Cranes look and sound like may help you spot them this spring. Sunny days with winds from the south are good times to listen and watch for migrating flocks. You’ll often hear their loud, rattling calls before you see them. Then look up and scan the sky for groups of large birds with outstretched necks, and long wings and legs.
To get a good look at Sandhill Cranes, visit Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area, an important migratory stopover in northern Indiana. During migration, cranes gather there in the thousands. The best times to view them are dawn and dusk, in fields near the marshes where they roost for the night.
Comments