SeeCalifornia.com

Welcome to the Season of the Sandhill Crane! Though there may still be a few spots left for the Sandhill Crane Festival (cranefestival.com) in Lodi, Calif. held November 1- 3, 2013, there are plenty of opportunities to see the gracious birds on your own or in an arranged tour through the Department of Fish & Game. Tours  in October through February coincide with migrations and are held at Woodbridge Ecological Reserve approx. 45 minutes outside Sacramento by car. You can also go out on your own without a tour group to observe the birds on the South side of the Reserve open to the public day or evening. See dfg.ca.gov or call (209) 948-7708.

Known for their loud trumpeting call and large body weighing around 10 pounds, the birds fly south to California’s Central Valley during their winter migration. Thousands of people come to see thousands of big, winged creatures in flight and feeding, or hidden among the tall reeds and grasses at Woodbridge.  This spectacular migration is one of many  birding events and bird watching opportunities throughout the year.