There are over 9,006 sandhill cranes staging at the refuge, taking a rest along their southerly migration route. 

This is an early October record, and more cranes are arriving daily. From mid-October to early November the refuge hosts large numbers of these prehistoric birds as they roost overnight in refuge wetlands and then fly out to local croplands to forage during the day. The peak number of cranes observed in one day typically occurs during the last week of October and has exceeded 29,000 birds.

If one would like to visit the refuge to see the cranes, the best time is dawn or dusk when the cranes are leaving or returning to their roost sites. If one is not an early riser, during the day one can scout for groups of cranes in recently harvested farm fields by driving the county roads north and west of the refuge. 

A sandhill crane viewing brochure with a map and information about the best crane viewing areas is available at the Friends of Sherburne website, ExploreSherburne.org. 

Like in past years, the County Road 70 parking lot on the refuge’s northern boundary yields large groups flying overhead to nearby farmlands at dawn and dusk.

Up for an adventure? One can walk two miles from the A5 parking lot to the St. Francis water control structure, where visitors will be treated to seeing sandhill cranes, along with ducks, swans and grebes. Find the numbered parking lots on the refuge’s Hunting Brochure – note that blaze orange or blaze pink is recommended for this viewing option.

Want to learn more about Minnesota’s tallest bird? Watch recorded live programs about the behaviors and history of the staging population on the Friends of Sherburne Facebook page: https://fb.watch/uZg622-4eG/ (Sandhills at Sherburne: A Fall Phenomenon).

Online Fundraiser

Join the Friends of Sherburne for a virtual celebration for the Sandhill Crane. As the cranes stage at the refuge during their migration south, the Friends of Sherburne are once again hosting an online fundraiser, a virtual “gala” where the offerings served up are appealing to their crane attendees. When one donates $20 or more, one will be showing one’s support for the cranes and nature education at the refuge. 

Now through October 31, all donations of $20 or more will receive a free commemorative sandhill crane sticker perfect for a water bottle or laptop. Check it out at Give.classy.org/SandhillCelebration2024.

Sandhill Stations

This year, the refuge and the Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge are hosting “Sandhill Stations” to help orient visitors about the best places to see the cranes at the refuge while they are staging. Tips will be shared for the best locations, plus directions and maps. Answers for one’s questions about cranes will also be provided. Sandhill Stations will be held at the Bur Oak Welcome Station (first stop) on the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive on Saturdays and Sundays, the last two weekends in October. Dates are October 19-20 and 26-27, 3-5 p.m. each day. The entrance to the Wildlife Drive is on Co. Rd. 5, two miles north of Orrock.

Fall Shopping

For field guides, refuge branded apparel and nature-oriented gifts – including cozy knit hats and hooded sweatshirts -- visit the Friends of Sherburne Eagle’s Nest Nature Store at the Oak Savanna Learning Center, open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 16797 289th Ave NW, Zimmerman. The nature store is available online at SherburneEaglesNestStore.com. Proceeds from the store benefit the refuge.