Sandhill Cranes in Tennessee? You Bet!
Wondering what to do in the middle of winter in East Tennessee?
Here's a link to the TWRA page describing this area and related special events that feature the sandhill cranes which over-winter there. Did you see the movie Fly Away Home? It was for real and is still today an
activity that uses ultra-light aircraft to guide captive-raised whooping cranes from their hatching grounds in Wisconsin to
warmer digs down south. Click to read more about Operation Migration. I've read reports that 8 or 9 mature whooping cranes have joined the sandhill's for the 2007-2008 winter season. It is unclear to me whether some of the sandhill cranes
over-winter at Hiwassee or if they just stay a week or so while enroute to points farther south. I think perhaps there
must be some that do over-winter in the Hiwassee refuge since I've always seen them there anytime I've visited in December
or January. Apparently there is a limited food supply (planted corn) and after that is eaten then the birds move south
in search of more food. The "big event" this year is set for January 19-20, 2008. Those in the know will
make the trip BEFORE then (hint, hint).
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