Date: 3/5/26 7:24 pm From: David Suddjian <dsuddjian...> Subject: [cobirds] A bit of Monte Vista Sandhill Crane detail for those going to look
I was at Monte Vista NWR this morning, and wish to report these details that might help you if you go soon to see the cranes. As John Rawinski posted before, it is worth being there "at first light" to see the spectacle of many, many flocks flying and 1000s landing near one of the viewing areas. Today the first flight activity was 15 min. before sunrise. The birds began to gather right away beside the Road 8S viewing area, and hardly any birds were near the viewing areas along Hwy 15. Sunlight first hit the cranes in the field 4 min. after sunrise. About 26 minutes after sunrise someone's car alarm horn went off and most of the birds in the giant flock at the 8S viewing area departed in response. So I was glad I was there earlier to have over half an hour of watching before they were disturbed. I roughly estimated about 9000 cranes, but it is hard to say how many were there and flying elsewhere.
David Suddjian Littleton, CO
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