Sandhill Cranes, Galveston’s most elegant of Winter Texans, are just beginning to arrive from their long southward migration to their home away from home on the Island. We will soon welcome hundreds more at Holiday with the Cranes – dubbed “one of the quirkiest events in Texas” by the New York Times!
Sandhill Cranes, Galveston’s most elegant of Winter Texans, are just beginning to arrive from their long southward migration to their home away from home on the Island. We will soon welcome hundreds more at Holiday with the Cranes – dubbed “one of the quirkiest events in Texas” by the New York Times!
There is something for everyone at this annual weekend celebration, which will be held December 9-10, 2023. Both days will begin with Dawn Patrols, offering breathtaking views of the cranes lifting into the skies at sunrise from a private nature preserve in the West End. If you would like to experience this awe-inspiring sight, be sure to register soon; space is limited, and these popular patrols always fill quickly.
At Saturday morning’s Coffee & Cranes, experts from the International Crane Foundation Paityn Bower and Irvin Louque will share insight about conservation challenges and successes of both Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes. The presentations will be followed by the event’s signature Crane Crawl, a self-guided tour of local hotspots with experienced birders on hand to offer great views of magnificent Sandhill Cranes through spotting scopes.
Saturday afternoon offers the opportunity to join a field trip to Halls Bayou Ranch with our International Crane Foundation special guests and local birding guides. This somewhat secluded 25,000-acre private property on the mainland features both freshwater and saltwater habitats that attract a wide variety of wintering waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, and shorebirds as well as Sandhill Cranes. This special activity is also expected to fill up fast, so be sure to reserve your seat soon!
On Sunday morning, the event closes out with your choice of two field trips for birders of all skill levels exploring Galveston Island’s wonderful avian diversity. FeatherFest leader Clayton Leopold will introduce you to coastal birding on the East End, with visits by bus to several hotspots including the beach, the jetty, and the East End Lagoon Nature Park & Preserve. With habitats ranging from wetlands to beach dunes, from freshwater ponds to upland prairie, in addition to an extensive marine coastline, this area offers critical overwintering habitat for thousands of birds.
Join popular FeatherFest leader and local birding guide Greg Whitaker for a field trip by bus to birding hotpots on the West End instead. You will see some Sandhill Cranes, but this trip’s focus is on other resident and wintering species. Covering habitats including freshwater ponds, coastal marshes, bay waters and the beach, this trip will also offer views of a variety of waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and more.
Holiday with the Cranes is open to participants ages 10 and up, and advance registration is required. Visit https://www.galvestonnaturetourism.org/holiday-with-the-cranes/
for more information about all of the event’s activities, but don’t wait – space is limited for this quirky, beloved weekend festival!
