Sandhill Cranes are known for their elegance, with their long necks and red featherless foreheads, they stand out in Michigan’s rolling hills.

According the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the highest concentration of these elegant creatures can be found in the country area of and near Jackson in places like the Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary, the staging area for Sandhill Cranes. Every autumn, thousands of these birds gather here in preparation for their southern migration. This 963-acre Michigan Audubon Society sanctuary, run by The Jackson Audubon Society, has a variety of habitats, making it possible to see over 200 species of birds and plants, including the Rough-legged Hawk and the Northern Shrike during the winter months.

The elusive Whooping Crane has been known to visit the sanctuary, so keep your eyes peeled and your binoculars ready!