You won’t have to strain your neck to get a gander at some of Tucson’s latest winter visitors.
A record number of sandhill cranes — about 42,200 of the migratory birds — have descended on southeast Arizona, Arizona Game and Fish says.
The number of cranes this year surpasses both five- and ten-year averages, the agency said.
The cranes, known for their distinctive calls and synchronized flights, typically begin arriving in Willcox in mid-September to early October.
They start to depart around mid-February, with some lingering until mid-March.
The Willcox Playa boasts the largest concentration, hosting more than 24,000 cranes.
Arizona Game and Fish’s Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near McNeal accommodates about 14,000 cranes, Safford Valley-Duncan has nearly 4,000 cranes and Bonita supports fewer than 300, the agency said in a news release.
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For bird enthusiasts, prime viewing locations include Cochise Lake, south of Willcox, and the APECO Apache Generating Station in Cochise.
These sites offer an unparalleled opportunity to witness the cranes’ daily routine of dawn feeding in farmers’ fields, with most returning between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
This year’s annual sandhill crane count by Game and Fish coincides with the commencement of the Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival, running through Sunday.
As part of the festival’s Nature Expo, AZGFD will showcase live birds at the Willcox Community Center on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Go to www.wingsoverwillcox.com for more information.
Photos: Sandhill cranes in southeastern Arizona, 2021
Sandhill cranes
A sandhill crane picks its way through the shallows with thousands of others at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021. Approximately 35,000 of the birds will be in the area through February until they pack up and head north for the summer. Wings Over Willcox 2021 is offering scaled down tours and online presentations this year during their 28th annual birding and nature festival January 15-16. The two day festival will have "COVID-cautious" walks at the Draw and limited self-driving tours. For more information go to wingsoverwillcox.com
Sandhill cranes
A few of the 35,000 sandhill cranes, and ducks and geese, take advantage of the sparse water at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A pair of sandhill cranes have a scuffle in the waters at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
Sandhill cranes take advantage of the sun and water during an afternoon at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A sandhill crane passes over the paths at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area looking for a place to set down with the 35.000 other birds, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A line of snow geese paddle through he 35,000 sandhill cranes spending their afternoon in the waters at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
Birders look out at the the tens of thousands of sandhill cranes spending an afternoon on the shores of the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A pair of sandhill cranes jostle for position along the banks at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A pair of sandhill cranes in nearly perfect sync fly over the walk ways at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
Several hundred sandhill cranes launch themselves into the late afternoon sunlight at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A flock of sandhill cranes fly into the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area form the field just west of the preserve as the sun sets, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A group of sandhill cranes fly over Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area looking for a likely spot to settle in for the night, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A handful of sandhill cranes settle down over a small stretch of water at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, McNeal, Ariz., January 5, 2021.
Sandhill cranes
A group of sandhill cranes find a small patch of water at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area for their night's rest, McNeal, Ariz., January 2, 2021.
Eddie Celaya is a breaking news reporter and host of the “Here Weed Go!” podcast. He graduated from Pima Community College and the University of Arizona and has been with the Arizona Daily Star since May 2019.
Eddie Celaya
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