Thousands of sandhill cranes have once again settled in for the winter at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, and this weekend, the community is invited to celebrate them during the annual Festival of the Cranes.
Hosted by the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association, the three day festival takes place this Friday through Sunday.
It features a wide range of free and low cost events across Decatur, from guided wildlife viewing and educational talks, to art exhibits, photography workshops and family friendly activities.
Each winter, more than 14,000 sandhill cranes and several endangered whooping cranes migrate to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, making it one of the most significant crane wintering sites in the eastern United States.
According to the WWRA Daily Tracker, there appears to be at least 20 whopping cranes at the refuge. Festival organizers say the event is designed to appeal to everyone, whether they are seasoned birders or simply curious visitors.
At the refuge itself, visitors can watch the cranes from the heated observation building, where spotting scopes, bleachers and volunteers are available to help guests get a closer look at cranes, ducks, geese, raptors and the occasional bald eagle.
Events extend beyond the refuge into downtown Decatur, with special programs hosted by the Princess Theatre, the Decatur Public Library, the Cook Museum of Natural Science and the Alabama Center for the Arts. Together, the venues offer a mix of science, storytelling, art and live demonstrations that highlight wildlife conservation and the natural world.
The schedule includes everything from interactive programs about crane behavior and native reptiles to photography talks and hands-on art activities for children.
One presentation even promises to explain “How to Befriend an Eagle,” a title that sounds ambitious but actually explores the centuries old tradition of falconry and the unique bond between humans and birds of prey.
Families will find plenty to do throughout the weekend, including story times, live raptor presentations and free admission events at the Cook Museum of Natural Science. An accompanying Festival of the Cranes art exhibit is also on display at the Alabama Center for the Arts, featuring nature inspired works by regional artists.
Organizers encourage attendees to bring binoculars and cameras and to plan ahead, as some events have limited capacity. A full schedule and event details are available through the Friends of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Association.
The Festival of the Cranes runs Friday through Sunday and is free to attend, with select programs requiring registration. Find more details at the Friends of Wheeler Wildlife Refuge website.
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