Birds of the Western Slope February 27, 2013

Photo from International Crane FoundationFestival in
Monte Vista

Soon I'll be headed for the Crane Festival in Monte Vista, March 8-10. I've been there many times and this year I'll present my PowerPoint entitled "WHOOPERS!"

This is similar to the one I gave at the Bosque Del Apache, with the major changes being the current status of the Operation Migration birds. These birds are hand-raised by costumed humans, trained by costumed people and then led on their initial migration, from Wisconsin to Florida, by ultra light planes.

The original population, declined to fewer than 20, migrated from its nesting grounds in Buffalo Woods National Park in Canada to Aransas, Texas, on the Gulf Coast. In the presentation, I trace the various conservation attempts to save these majestic birds. And I include their presence right here at Hart's Basin.

But of course there's much more to the festival. There are meal events, sandhill crane tours and a raptor tour. The craft show is huge and always worth a visit. On Saturday there will be a writing workshop, a talk about bats, the story of "Lefty," a very special kestrel, and finally my whooper presentation.

Friday evening we'll hear Ted Floyd's "My Favorite Bird." Dr. Floyd (his degree is in ecology) is the author of the "Smithsonian Guide to Birds" and he is the editor of "Birding" the magazine published by American Birding Association. He also contributed to the "Birding Atlas of Breeding Birds" in Nevada and has birded in Mexico, South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. His current interest is in the nocturnal calls of migrating birds. I'm anxious to hear his presentation.

In the spring, "our" cranes come to us from Monte Vista and there you can often see them just foraging in the fields or coming in to roost in the evening. For more information on Monte Vista's 30th festival call 719-852-3552, or visit their website www.cranefest.com. This celebration of the sandhill cranes is well worth the drive. Hope to see you there!

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