Each winter thousands of sandhill cranes gather at the mud flats of Barren River Lake during their migration south.
“Most people are just in awe, listening to them, learning about them,” said park naturalist Jamie Avery.
Sandhill cranes are a bucket-list sighting for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Standing 4-5 feet tall, these graceful gray birds have amazing wingspans of 5 to 6 feet.
From their parachute style landings—with outstretched wings and dangling legs—to their dance displays in the fields, the birds entertain the crowds who gather to watch them.
Avery explained that most of the water is drained from the lake in winter to control spring flooding on the river. That draining exposes mud flats, and that attracts the sandhill cranes.
“The cranes roost on those mud flats, because it’s a form of protection,” Avery said. “They can see all the way around them, and they can be surrounded by water at times, too.”
The birds are omnivores, Avery said, eating what is available, including salamanders, snakes, and mice. They keep an eye out for predators like coyotes, foxes, and even eagles.
The birds begin arriving at Barren River Lake in November. Depending on the food available and the weather, they might stay until around February.
The local Fish and Wildlife Resources biologist does a head count of the visiting sandhill cranes each year. Numbers vary: In 2014, the park had up to 24,000 at a time, but in 2015 the highest number was about 5,600.
The cranes are a feast for the ears and eyes. “The three favorite things about the sandhill crane that I like are the sound they make, watching them dance when they’re out in the field, and then watching them land as they parachute in,” Avery said.
The opportunity to hear these majestic birds is a rare treat. Sandhill cranes have a long windpipe that helps them create an unforgettable, low-pitched, bugling sound.
As part of their mating ritual, sandhill cranes dance in the field, jumping up and throwing sticks or cornstalks into the air. Cranes who form pair bonds and successfully reproduce will stay together for life, Avery said.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park offers Nature Watch Weekends in the winter to view the cranes; the sunrise and sunset tours are popular. “It’s a great weekend if you love nature,” she said.
Spring Wildflowers at John James Audubon State Park
John James Audubon State Park in Henderson is a 725-acre paradise for nature fanatics. The park has cottages for rent and a 9-hole golf course. There are lakes for paddleboating and fishing. There’s even a world-class museum right on site. But it’s the flora and fauna that make the park truly special.
Learn more about the wildflowers at John James Audubon State Park and watch the video.
Glamping at Popes Creek Ranch in Lebanon
“This is not really roughing it, but it is getting out into nature and it is camping.”
That’s how David Neville, General Manager of Pope’s Creek Ranch describes glamping—a portmanteau of “glamor” and “camping”—at this outdoor escape in Lebanon, Kentucky.
Find out more about glamping at Popes Creek Ranch and watch the video.
