The Cranes of Crex Meadows

Cranes arriving at dusk to roost in the safe haven of the wildlife refuge.

Sandhill Cranes can be found in large flocks during migration seasons. Crex Meadows Wildlife Refuge is one of two wildlife refuges north of the Twin Cities where Sandhill Cranes congregate in the fall before heading south for the winter. Starting in mid-October, groups of cranes can be observed flying into the Refuge at dusk creating a very special wildlife adventure.

After feeding on waste grain all day in the neighboring farm fields, the cranes return to the safety of the Refuge’s wetlands to spend the night. This particular population of Sandhills breeds in the Upper Midwest and the southern half of Canada before funneling south down the Mississippi Flyway in autumn.

These birds are large. They are part of the Greater Canadian subspecies of Sandhills weighing over 10 lbs. and 46” tall. The bird on the right is a juvenile born just this year.

About 45 minutes before sunset, large flocks of the cranes start arriving. Squadrons of cranes fly over the refuge’s roads which provide easy accessibility for excellent viewing. The large amount of birds in the air combined with their bugling rattles make for a spectacular experience.

This was filmed last Tuesday when we saw about 500 birds come in to roost. There had been over a thousand seen the last week of October.

The sunset was glorious too!

The other refuge to see Sandhill Cranes in the fall is Sherburne NWR but this consists of mostly watching the cranes flying by overhead as their roosting site is very secluded inside the Refuge. Crex Meadows provides better access to seeing and photographing the cranes.