A sandhill crane lands in water at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge.If you go
› What: Sandhill crane cruises aboard River Gorge Explorer› When: 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Jan. 8-10; Jan. 15-18. Cruises scheduled for Jan. 1-3 have been canceled due to flooding› Where: Sale Creek Marina, 3900 Lee Pike› Admission: $35 Tennessee Aquarium members, $45 nonmembers, $40 groups of 15 or more› Website: www.tnaqua.org/sandhill-crane-cruises
Looking for a peaceful day-trip after the hustle and bustle of Christmas? Something new to do, but you’re unsure what to try? Just wing it – schedule a birding cruise to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge.
The Tennessee Aquarium is sponsoring two weekends of cruises aboard the River Gorge Explorer to view migratory sandhill cranes. The first outings, previously scheduled for this weekend, have been canceled due to flooding. Cruises will resume Friday-Sunday, Jan. 8-10, and Friday-Monday, Jan. 15- 18, which coincides with the Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival scheduled Jan. 16-17 in Birchwood.
Each winter, between 15,000 and 20,000 cranes converge on the 6,000-acre Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge as a stopover in their flight from the upper Midwest to Florida. Aquarium spokesman Thom Benson says the cranes’ annual migration has been called “one of the greatest spectacles of nature in the Southeast.”
“The Hiwassee refuge really is a special place,” says Benson. “There was a scientific study that said these refueling stops for migratory birds around the world are being threatened by development. Conservation movements are doing good jobs of protecting nesting and breeding habitats, but the places in between are in trouble. That’s what makes this refuge so wonderful because it’s protected. Birders really get excited about being up there this time of year. We have people from across East Tennessee come for these cruises.”
Two naturalists accompany each two-hour cruise, one to talk history of the area while the other keeps an eagle-eye on the treeline. Speaking of eagles, even golden eagles have occasionally been sighted on these cruises. Birders have also seen Ross’s geese, white pelicans and a few whooping cranes. Wintering dunlin, least sandpipers and Wilson’s snipe also have been recorded on the mudflats with the cranes.
Two cruises are offered: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. While the River Gorge Explorer is fully accessible to all abilities, the marina’s boarding ramp is not wheelchair-accessible.
The cruises depart from Sale Creek Marina, going north to Hiwassee Island. Along the river, Capt. Pete Hosemann might slow a couple of times for bald eagle sightings or to make sure everyone has the chance to see and photograph other wildlife.
“Each cruise is always a little bit different,” explains Benson.
Benson encourages advance registration since all cruises last winter sold out. Participants should bring binoculars and wear clothing appropriate to the weather. Photographers may want to include a telephoto lens in their camera bag.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.