Planning
CRANEFEST XVII LOCATIONS
Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area
From I-69 turn west on N Dr. North (Exit 42). Follow N Dr. North .5 mile to the blinker at Cornwell’s Turkeyville. Turn north (right) onto 15-1/2 Mile Rd. Go 3.4 miles, joining 15 Mile Rd. along the way.
The Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area is the festival site for the Sandhill Crane and Art Festival, “CraneFest XVII,” on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9, 2011. Crane viewing will take place both days of the CraneFest event, though crane activity begins to peak near dusk. Guided nature walks and self-guided exploration of the festival site offer chances to see a wide range of bird and wildlife species throughout the day.
Following CraneFest, the Kiwanis Youth Area will be open to the public for Sandhill Crane Viewing beginning Saturday, October 15, and running every Saturday and Sunday through November 13, 2011. The property is open for viewing only on these specific dates and only from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm.
Convis Township Hall
19500 15 Mile Rd
Marshall, MI
From I-69 turn west on N Dr. North (Exit 42). Follow N Dr. North .5 mile to the blinker at Cornwell’s Turkeyville. Turn north (right) onto 15-1/2 Mile Rd. Drive North .75 mile. Convis Township Hall is located at the intersection of 15 1/2 Mile and 15 Mile Roads.
The Convis Township Hall is the host facility for the Birders’ Soiree, Friday, October 7, at 6:3o pm. The program will include a binoculars giveaway and a brand-new program by Caleb Putnam, Chasing Rare Birds in Michigan. For details and registration for this pre-festival event, featuring local food and wine, please visit this detail page.
Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary
21145 15 Mile Rd
Bellevue, MI
Baker Sanctuary is located in central southern Michigan less than 50 miles from the Indiana and Ohio state lines. It is northeast of the intersection of I-69 and I-94 in Convis Township in north-central Calhoun County, 10 miles north of historic Marshall, 12 miles east of Battle Creek, and only minutes from Bellevue and the nearby picturesque college town of Olivet.
Baker Sanctuary is the second-largest property in the Michigan Audubon bird sanctuary network. Self-guided opportunities to explore Baker begin at the Meadow and Marshland Trailhead, which is located on the East side of 15 Mile Road. Approximately 2 miles of mowed trails are available and are considered easy walking with minimal elevation change.
What to Bring: comfortable walking/hiking shoes, rain coat, sweatshirt or medium-weight jacket, reusable water bottle, optics, and cameras. It can be quite cool mornings and evenings so be sure to dress in layers.
