From the Outdoor Chattanooga Newsletter
Sandhill Cranes. (Photo: Courtesy of Outdoor Chattanooga)
Try This Local Outdoor Adventure
Each month, Outdoor Chattanooga will recommend an outdoor adventure unique to the Chattanooga area. This month, January 2017, is the peak of the annual Sandhill Crane Migration when thousands of these beautiful birds converge on the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Birchwood, Tennessee, just an hour from Chattanooga. If you've never witnessed these elegant creatures in person, you should make an effort to this year. There are a variety of ways and locations to get out and view these interesting birds. Here's what you need to know to try this month's outdoor adventure.
What are Sandhill Cranes?
Sandhill cranes are considered one of North America's tallest birds standing 3-4 feet tall with a wingspan of 6-7 feet. They have long necks, long legs, red heads and bright white cheeks. These cranes have an interesting appearance and a loud trumpet like call, which can carry more than a mile. Sandhill cranes mate for life and the mated pairs stand close together and synchronize to engage in "unison calling". They can live 20 years or more, but have one of the lowest reproductive rates of all North American birds. Only one nest in three produces a chick that survives to migrate in the fall. During the 1800's overhunting and habitat loss nearly wiped out the sandhill crane population in the east. In the early 1990's, the population began recovering and stopping at the Hiwassee Refuge as they traveled to and from the Canadian tundra to their traditional wintering grounds in Georgia and Florida because it provides the perfect combination of wet grasslands, marshes, and grain fields for the cranes to feed and roost. They can be seen in the Southeast from late fall to early spring. Their population is now thriving with an estimated 15,000-20,000 birds.
Where to see them:
The Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge is 6,000-acres located on Chickamauga Lake at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee rivers, near the site of the historic Blythe Ferry, and includes the 400-acre Hiwassee Island. It's home to the largest winter flock of sandhill cranes in the southeast United States outside of Florida due to the refuge providing the perfect combination of wet grasslands, marshes, and grain fields for the cranes to feed and roost. The refuge is an official stop on the Tennessee Wildlife Viewing Trail. The refuge lands are closed to visitors between November 15 through the end of February, but a wildlife observation platform remains open year-round for visitors and is a great place to view the sandhill cranes, as well as other bird life.
When to see them:
Peak numbers of cranes occur in January and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) will host the 27th annual Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival January 14-15 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day at the Birchwood Community Center in Birchwood, TN. There will be craft and food vendors, music, kids activities, live demonstrations and free bus shuttles from the Birchwood Community Center to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge and Cherokee Removal Memorial. There is no public parking at the refuge. Both the memorial and refuge provide great views of Hiwassee Island and the many birds that flock there each winter. For those who are new to sandhill cranes and birding, guides from the Tennessee Ornithological Society and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be on hand with scopes at the refuge to help visitors get an up-close look at the cranes and answer questions. Crane viewing is best in the morning, as the birds tend to fly in the afternoon. For more information about the festival, click here.
How to see them:
The wildlife observation platform at the Hiwassee Refuge is free and open year round for anyone interested in observing these interesting birds. It's also possible to paddleboard, canoe, or kayak out to the Refuge from the Blythe Ferry boat ramp to get an up close and personal view of the migrating birds and the natural beauty of the area. (*Note: please don't do it during the festival and check local hunting schedules before you make your way onto the water.) The Tennessee Aquarium offers two-hour Sandhill Crane viewing cruises on the River Gorge Explorer during the peak of their migration. Guests can view the cranes from the climate controlled cabin or the topside observation deck while learning about the the island's naturalistic and historical heritage. These special eco-cruises to the wildlife refuge depart from Sale Creek Marina at 3900 Lee Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available online. All ages welcome. Cost: $35 / Aquarium Members; $45 / Non-Members.
Cruise Schedule:
(Note: Currently, all remaining cruises except for Jan. 13 at 10:00 a.m. are sold out.)
January 6, 2017 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm January 7, 2017 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm January 8, 2017 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm January 13, 2017 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm January 14, 2017 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm January 15, 2017 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm January 16, 2017 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
Learn more about the cruises here.
Have you experienced this local adventure? Got suggestions for next month's local outdoor adventure? We'd love to hear about it! Share your stories and pictures with us at info@outdoorchattanooga.com.
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