Sandhill Crane & Art Festival

Friday, October 7

CraneFest XVII begins with an exciting new program on Friday, October 7, at the Convis Township Hall.  Star birdwatcher, Caleb Putnam, will present “Chasing Rare Birds in Michigan – Stories and more!”  Caleb’s presentation is part of Michigan Audubon’s Birders’ Soiree.  Wine, compliments of Sandhill Crane Vineyard, will be served alongside a bountiful offering of hors d’oeuvres.  One lucky program attendee will win a pair of new 10×32 binoculars, courtesy of Eagle Optics.  A fine selection of bird-related items will be included in a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting conservation work at Baker Sanctuary.

Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9

The CraneFest XVII Sandhill Crane and Art Festival begins at Noon on Saturday, October 8.  The festival is held at the Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area, adjacent to the Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary. 25 fine art vendors will be attending this year and offering an array of pottery, photography, carvings, paintings, and other mediums. The Michigan Audubon nature bookstore will be selling the latest field guides, children’s books, and non-fiction titles related to birds. Food and drinks will be for sale throughout the day. Michigan Audubon will be raffling-off a 32GB iPod Touch, courtesy of BradsDeals.com, with proceeds benefiting Sandhill Crane conservation.

Festival Hours: Saturday and Sunday,  Noon until Dusk

The best time to see the arrival of Sandhill Cranes is near dusk.

Please note: the Battle Creek Kiwanis Club collects $3 per vehicle for parking.

October through November

Sandhill Crane viewing takes place at locations throughout southern lower Michigan.  We recommend visiting Haehnle Sanctuary in Jackson County and the Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary in Calhoun County.  Both properties are owned and managed by Michigan Audubon.

Fall Crane Viewing Details:

• Crane viewing at the Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area, adjacent to Baker Sanctuary, begins the weekend after CraneFest, October 15 and 16.  Crane viewing continues every Saturday and Sunday through November 13.  Hours for crane viewing are from 4:00 – 7:00 pm .

• The Sandhill Cranes at Big Marsh Lake (Baker Sanctuary) are usually 100 – 200 yards in the distance.  Spectacular views of birds can be had with the naked eye, but binoculars will enhance the viewing experience.  Photographers enjoy this site because of the proximity of the viewing station to the birds.
• Crane viewing at Michigan Audubon’s Phyllis Haehnle Sanctuary in Jackson County occurs daily from dawn until dusk.  Members of the Haehnle Stewardship Committee of Jackson Audubon will be available on designated weekends throughout the fall to assist visitors with finding Sandhill Cranes.  The additional opportunity to see an Endangered Whooping Crane may exist at Haehnle Sanctuary.

• The Sandhill Cranes at Haehnle Sanctuary are usually a quarter-mile in the distance.  Binoculars or a spotting scope are highly recommended for watching the birds are this site.

• Haehnle Sanctuary website

Tags: Baker Sanctuary, bird, CraneFest, International Crane Foundation, Kiwanis, Michigan Audubon, migration, sandhill, Sandhill Crane, Whooping Crane