Brief by Central Staff
Wildlife – March 2003 – Colorado Central Magazine
Monte Vista Crane Festival will run March 7 – 9
Greater Sandhill Cranes are about 4 feet tall, and gray with a red patch on their foreheads; they have a 6-foot wingspan, weigh about 12 pounds, and every spring they leave New Mexico and wing their way to Idaho. Along the way, however, cranes meet in the San Luis Valley where they entertain visitors with aerial demonstrations and courtship dances — in which they leap, bow, croak and flex their wings to entice life-long mates. This year, the Monte Vista Crane Festival celebrates this annual event on March 7 & 8 with tours, classes, lectures, a movie, and meals, plus a Friday concert, a Saturday dinner, and a spectacular sunrise fly-out tour on March 9.
Lesser sandhill cranes will also join in the festivities, and there will be raptor tours and wildlife presentations featuring other inhabitants of the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Reservations must be in by March 4. For schedules, information or reservations call 719-852-3552 or check www.cranefest.com.