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Show WASATCH MOUNTAIN TIMES ~ i ¢ », ar NG ; \ aes5 f man ill Cran San tt ‘Sept. 8 and 9 in Cache Valley. * Enjoy a reception, dinner, bus _ birding tour of Cache Valley, featuring hundreds of migrating Visiting By Pamela Mills Poulson Manager of Environmental Education Red Butte Garden and Arboretum he warm earth breathes waves of heat into the stark raving blue sky. Rubber-panted fishermen wade into sparkling streams to lure trout onto baited hooks. Dragonflies dart across meadows and marshes in agile pursuit of dinner. Dreamers lazily wave the air against mosquitoes. A long utter of krooooo garooo-a, trumpets through the slow summer scene, the gurgler nowhere in sight. It is the distinctive call of the Sandhill Crane, coming from more than a mile away. A Sandhill develops his resonant call in an extremely long trachea. Reaching a length of up to 5 feet, a Sandhill’s windpipe coils like a French horn. These loops are tucked behind the breast bone. They probably give added power and depth to the voice, which can carry for distances of a mile or more. In flight, Sandhills have a characteristic wing downstroke action followed — by a slow a quick, Utah as folded, lusks, the Sandhill flies with both neck and legs extended. Although a mighty flier, he stays mostly on the ground except when migrating. Traveling in noisy flocks, Sandhills way. migrate From 4,000 their miles summer one nesting areas in marshes of Siberia, coastal Alaska, central Canadian Arctic, northeastern California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Michigan, their they winters fields of South Dakota fly south in prairies California, and and open Texas and Mexico. Sandhills are a regular, but uncommon sight in northern Utah where their stay includes breeding, feeding and some nesting. Sandhills have made some rare appearances in southern Utah, and have been sighted as far south as the Junction of > he consumes aquatic vegetation, berries, grass, frogs, potatoes, small fish, grains, mol- snails, rats, mice, moles, lemmings, lizards, snakes, tadpoles, and a variety of insects. Cranes use their powerful beaks for nabbing prey and digging bulbs and roots. With his long bill, simple gray Continued on page 14 Sponsored by Utah Wilderness Association, Utah Wildlife Manifesto, The Spirit of Utah Wilderness, Bridger Audubon Society, and Great Salt Lake Audubon Society. Call 801-266-1708 for information and registration. K to spend the ee -/ JBIRDS At the Rocky Mountain Wild Bird Station v9) |f you love birds, birdhouses, feeders, "bird accessories and bird essentials, our knowledgeable staff can’t wait to help you and your feathered friends. Santa Clara and Virgin Rivers near St. George in 1940. “he autumn Sandhill hunting sea= son, when up to 100 licenses are issued, has become a controversial issue in Utah. A Sandhill’s diet is omnivorous, Sandhill Crane, Grus canadensis Tall, long necked, ¢ Advance registration is required. flicking upstroke. Unlike the Great Blue Heron, who flies with neck TOTAL LENGTH: 34-48 inches, over r 36 inches tall when standing. : ce Sandhill Cranes and more! Now . Are legged Feathers mainly gray with OPEN DAILY 875 lronhorse Dr. Park City, Utah WILD 801-647-5990 Exhibiting se at the Park Ea City Arts BIRD Festival STATION * August 5 & 6 |