There is a fall tradition in Southern Arizona that involves birds, but not turkeys. Flying, but not witches.
The annual migration of Sandhill cranes to the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in McNeal is under way, with the first dozen birds sighted about two weeks ago. There were approximately 100 birds last Friday.
The birds typically arrive in the area from mid-September to early October, and begin leaving from mid-February to mid-March, according to a news release from the the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
The department estimated 22,577 cranes at their peak numbers in January. The migratory birds’ flyway takes some as far as Siberia by summer.
Catch a peek of the the cranes at the wildlife area. Many cranes fly out at dawn to feed and return approximately 4 p.m. Others remain in the wildlife area or return by noon, the release said.
Whitewater Draw also attracts ducks, geese, herons, egrets, shorebirds, gulls and terns.
