Join local conservation activist and natural historian, Sean Wirth, on a photographic tour of some of Japan’s fabulous and iconic birds.  (Sean is an executive committee member of the Sacramento Group of the Sierra Club, conservation chair of the Mother Lode Chapter of the Sierra Club, a founding member of Save Our Sandhill Cranes, executive committee and board member of ECOS, and co-chair of Habitat 2020.)

The first stop on the journey will be the frigid winter snows of northern Hokkaido where we will spend time with red crowned cranes, whooper swans, white tailed eagles, Stellar’s sea eagles, Blakiston’s fish owls, harlequin ducks and many others.  And then, we will head to southwestern Kyushu where we will try to find the small handful of sandhill cranes who journey there from Siberia to spend the winter with Japan’s hooded and white naped cranes, as well as spoonbills, herons, egrets, snipes, and various waterfowl.  You will have to come to the presentation to find out if the sandhills were found.

The presentation is co-hosted by Sacramento Audubon and Save Our Sandhill Cranes and will be held at Effie Yeaw Nature Center at 7PM on October 15th.

This is a free event. Directions to the Nature Center can be found here.

Our Sandhill Cranes are back!

Tour dates for Fall/Winter 2018/2019

Our Sandhill Cranes are back! They, as well as a variety of ducks, swans, geese, and shorebirds, feed in the flooded fields and marshy areas of the delta, and hawks patrol overhead.

Meet on the deck of the Visitor Center of the Cosumnes River Preserve to hear a brief presentation of Sandhill Crane behavior, biology and conservation status. Then we might stroll the boardwalk in the Lost Slough Wetlands, enjoying views of the cranes, wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. Afterwards, we may drive along Desmond Road and, finally, to Woodbridge Road or Staten Island, to see flocks of cranes fly in to roost for the night.   Dress for changeable weather and bring binoculars. Scopes are helpful.  From Sacramento, take I-5 south to the Twin Cities Road exit; go left (east) to Franklin Blvd; turn right (south) on Franklin and, driving through the Preserve, watch for the Visitor Center parking lot on your left. Further directions and maps are available at www.cosumnes.org. This is a great trip for beginners.  If you have questions you can call 916-446-1392 for the latest information.

FREE CRANE VIEWING TOURS

Open to the public

2018-2019 SCHEDULE

 

October        27 and 28 at 4:30 PM       

November      24 and 25 at 3:15 PM   Meet on the outside deck of the Visitor Center.     (On November 3 and 4 we will be at the Lodi Crane Festival.  Please do drop by our display table and say hello.)

December      22 & 23  at 3:15 PM   Meet on the outside deck of the Visitor Center.

January         26 and 27 at 4:00PM

Private Tours

Private and custom tours can be arranged with SOS Cranes for small groups of 10 or more people, or school classes. Contact us for more information.  We can also provide crane tours for Spanish speakers or French speakers.

 

 

 

Long before Lodi existed, Sandhill Cranes descended into the rich delta wetlands at the end of a long migratory journey, some from nesting grounds as far away as Siberia. As they greeted California’s earliest explorers, these magnificent birds darkened the skies over winter marshes. In awe-inspiring numbers, and with a prehistoric call, stately gait, and elegant choreography, the Sandhill Crane continues to attract and inspire visitors.

Each year thousands of visitors make their way to Lodi area wildlife refuges and farmlands to experience first hand one of nature’s spectacles. The abundance of crane habitat continues to nourish our agricultural roots, with water, soil, and climate that sustains the birds, enriches our lives, and benefits our local economy.

For  22 years, Lodi’s Sandhill Crane Festival has celebrated the return of the cranes. In partnership with the City of Lodi, the Festival continues this November, welcoming an ever-growing circle of friends to our community to share the wonder of the Sandhill Crane … and so much more.

Visit the Sandhill Crane Festival of Lodi’s web site for more information.