Cranes & community

Annual event celebrates return of migratory species to ABQ

Amore quintessentially autumnal scene than the one that unfolded Saturday at the Open Space Visitor Center is hard to picture. Children frolicked and played in the golden leaves shed by nearby cottonwoods, the muted rays of the sun shone over the vast grounds along the Rio Grande and in the distance came the bugling call of the sandhill crane.

Every year around this time, the West Side center celebrates the return of the gray-feathered, red-headed bird that migrates to the Rio Grande Valley by the tens of thousands each year.

“By bringing attention to them and their beauty and history, it also bring to light the value of protecting this really unique ecosystem,” said Open Space Manager Kent Swanson.

Around 18,000 sandhill cranes return to the area each year, with some coming from as far away as Alaska.

The birds can be mostly be seen near the river foraging in fields for grains, insects and even small mammals.

Bruce Dale of the Central New Mexico Audubon Society said sandhill crane populations are generally faring well, though he said he worries an increased presence of wind turbines could someday have an adverse effect on the bird’s migratory path.

“On the whole, the population is doing fine,” he said.

As part of the celebration, Dale gave a talk on attracting migratory birds to backyards — and keeping them safe.

He focused on making windows birdsafe and preventing cat depredation, though he said a domestic cat would have quite a time taking on a 3- to 4-foot-tall crane.

“Birds have a right to continue on their way,” Dale said. “People think, ‘Oh, it’s just a couple birds.’ But birds are sentient beings that we are sort of clueless about and mindless about.”

The daylong celebration drew a variety of visitors, from seasoned birders to young families.

“It really is very educational,” said Elizabeth Lederer, there with her 10-yearold granddaughter Natayla Jake, who was eagerly watching the distant cranes and Canada geese through a spotting scope.

The day also featured a performance by dancers from the Maple Street Dance Space, children’s crafts and storytime.

“It really is a true celebration, not only the crane, but also of community,” Swanson said.

ROBERTO E. ROSALES/JOURNAL The Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center hosted its annual Return of the Sandhill Crane Celebration on Saturday. Some of the year’s first migratory cranes have arrived in the Duke City.

Alice Myers, left, with granddaughter, Mella Sol Myers, 3, enjoy viewing sandhill cranes during the Return of the Sandhill Crane Celebration on Saturday.

Several birds were displayed by Wildlife Rescue Inc. of New Mexico, including this great horned owl, during Saturday’s Return of the Sandhill Crane Celebration.

ROBERTO E. ROSALES/ JOURNAL Hundreds flocked to the West Side’s Open Space Visitor Center for its annual celebration of the return of the sandhill cranes.