MONTE VISTA — They’re coming to Colorado by the thousands — and making a ton of noise. The sandhill crane migration is in full swing at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge.
Starting in late February, the cranes make their way north from New Mexico to the refuge to eat and rest. It’s here where many of the sandhill cranes find a mate, which they keep for life. The crane’s courtship dance includes jumping into the air, a lot of wing flapping and the signature sandhill crane croaking sound.
“It’s a serious courtship ritual, which we get to witness as part of their migration here,” said Pat Gonzales, deputy project leader for the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge complex.
The cranes will stick around until late March or early April. Then they will fly north — with many heading to Idaho and Nebraska.
The eMonte Vista National Wildlife Refug estimates that 12,000 to 14,000 birds will come to the area this year during the sandhill crane migration — for which Monte Vista holds an annual festival that started Friday and runs through Sunday. Anne Herbst, The Denver Post
