NAVARINO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A familiar flyer has returned to Shawano County.
Sandhill cranes were spotted Thursday morning in the fields near the Navarino State Wildlife Area.
With grey feathers, bright yellow eyes and signature red caps, the stork-like birds patrol a farm field near Navarino, and in recent weeks thousands of the cranes have arrived at the 15,000 acre wildlife area.
“They symbolize spring. They bring that call in with that pterodactyl sound and that people know that spring’s right around the corner,” said Kaylee Lietz, Navarino Nature Center Assistant Naturalist.
Lietz says the birds cover the fields for food during the day, but at night, they return to wetlands areas like Pike’s Peak Flowage nearby.
Nature center leaders say the routine is celebrated with an event called “Evening with the Sandhill Cranes.”
“The naturalist staff will guide the public back to one of two viewing decks, depending on what the weather is like, and we’ll watch the cranes come in to roost over sunset,” said Tim Ewing, Navarino Nature Center Director.
And that’s not all. Saturday marks the annual Midwest Crane Count, where more than 1,600 volunteers are expected to take to the field for the citizen science event.
Ewing coordinates the count in Shawano County, and forwards the results to the International Crane Foundation.
“From 5:30 until 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning is when the counters go out and count, Wherever you are, whatever county you’re in, you can participate in the count.”
Meanwhile Lietz says sandhill courtship displays are just underway.
“They call them the crane dances. They’re dancing for each other, and it’s very spectacular,” she said.
Many of the cranes will nest, and spend the season at the wildlife area, before migrating to the Carolinas and Florida, in November.
