Sandhill Crane Viewing Maps |
ShareTheRoad Productions' maps to
Sandhill Crane viewing areas in California's
Central Valley and Delta
A bit of a disclaimer is warranted whenever Cranes and maps
intersect: Cranes don't read maps. They go where ever conditions
are best at the time. There are certain locations that generally are
appealing to Cranes and accessible to humans. These maps point to
those areas.
Keep in mind the daily routine of the cranes (roost to fields to roost). Timing is
critical for Crane viewing. A roost area is where they gather in the evening to
safely spend the night. Soon after dawn they leave the roost to feed in surrounding
fields or drink in nearby wetlands. To find Cranes in the roost areas arrive before
dawn or just before sunset. During mid-morning to mid-afternoon check the fields
and wetlands that they are known to use. The maps below highlight some favorite
Sandhill Crane haunts.
Sandhill Crane viewing areas in California's
Central Valley and Delta
A bit of a disclaimer is warranted whenever Cranes and maps
intersect: Cranes don't read maps. They go where ever conditions
are best at the time. There are certain locations that generally are
appealing to Cranes and accessible to humans. These maps point to
those areas.
Keep in mind the daily routine of the cranes (roost to fields to roost). Timing is
critical for Crane viewing. A roost area is where they gather in the evening to
safely spend the night. Soon after dawn they leave the roost to feed in surrounding
fields or drink in nearby wetlands. To find Cranes in the roost areas arrive before
dawn or just before sunset. During mid-morning to mid-afternoon check the fields
and wetlands that they are known to use. The maps below highlight some favorite
Sandhill Crane haunts.
© 2010 ShareTheRoad Productions
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About half way between Sacramento and Stockton (20 something miles from each) is the Cosumnes River Preserve. The Visitor's Center on
Franklin Blvd, south of Twin Cities Road and north of the river, marks the spot for Sandhill Crane roosting. Directly across Franklin Blvd from
the Visitor's Center is a viewing deck. Cranes frequently roost within 75-150 yards from the deck. Most of our photos and videos were taken
from that deck. It is absolutely necessary that you follow the rules and maintain a very low profile. The Cranes come back every year to this
spot knowing that the humans will not bother them. Arrive before dawn. Approach very slowly. Be absolutely quiet. The parking lots are
closed early in the morning. Park OFF THE ROAD to the north of the No Parking signs. It should take you about 15 minutes to slowly walk to
the deck. If the cranes appear spooked by your movement stop and view from right there. If you continue to spook them they will fly away
and both you and the Cranes will miss the beautiful morning routine. This is also a good spot to watch them return at sunset. Many come after
dark so don't leave too early. Here's a link to a Google Satellite Map of the area with the pond and the Visitor's Center marked.
"Ground Zero" for Sandhill Cranes is also shown on this map - Staten Island in the Delta (for info on Staten Island see pg 5 of this pdf). Take
W. Walnut Grove Road (west) from I-5 to N. Staten Island Road (there is no ferry). During the day you are likely to encounter small groups of
Cranes feeding and loafing in the fields on either side of the road. This is private property. Do not go into the fields. Stay on the road. About
5 miles down the road there is a sign that says basically "go no further". The ponds to the west are frequently used as roost sites. The evening fly
in is particularly good here due to the westerly viewing direction and the Cranes come in with a magnificent sunset backdrop that includes
Mount Diablo.
In both of these areas the Sandhill Cranes are just one of many magnificent species. Staten Island is the winter home to thousands of geese,
ducks and swans. On one mid-winter day I also saw a pheasant, a great horned owl, many barn owls, lots of killdeer, a white-tailed kite, a pair
of northern harriers, a fantastic sunset and a gorgeous full moon rise. Well worth the drive.
Franklin Blvd, south of Twin Cities Road and north of the river, marks the spot for Sandhill Crane roosting. Directly across Franklin Blvd from
the Visitor's Center is a viewing deck. Cranes frequently roost within 75-150 yards from the deck. Most of our photos and videos were taken
from that deck. It is absolutely necessary that you follow the rules and maintain a very low profile. The Cranes come back every year to this
spot knowing that the humans will not bother them. Arrive before dawn. Approach very slowly. Be absolutely quiet. The parking lots are
closed early in the morning. Park OFF THE ROAD to the north of the No Parking signs. It should take you about 15 minutes to slowly walk to
the deck. If the cranes appear spooked by your movement stop and view from right there. If you continue to spook them they will fly away
and both you and the Cranes will miss the beautiful morning routine. This is also a good spot to watch them return at sunset. Many come after
dark so don't leave too early. Here's a link to a Google Satellite Map of the area with the pond and the Visitor's Center marked.
"Ground Zero" for Sandhill Cranes is also shown on this map - Staten Island in the Delta (for info on Staten Island see pg 5 of this pdf). Take
W. Walnut Grove Road (west) from I-5 to N. Staten Island Road (there is no ferry). During the day you are likely to encounter small groups of
Cranes feeding and loafing in the fields on either side of the road. This is private property. Do not go into the fields. Stay on the road. About
5 miles down the road there is a sign that says basically "go no further". The ponds to the west are frequently used as roost sites. The evening fly
in is particularly good here due to the westerly viewing direction and the Cranes come in with a magnificent sunset backdrop that includes
Mount Diablo.
In both of these areas the Sandhill Cranes are just one of many magnificent species. Staten Island is the winter home to thousands of geese,
ducks and swans. On one mid-winter day I also saw a pheasant, a great horned owl, many barn owls, lots of killdeer, a white-tailed kite, a pair
of northern harriers, a fantastic sunset and a gorgeous full moon rise. Well worth the drive.
In the middle of this map is a whole lot of nothing. That's a good thing. Notice that N. Staten Road runs north / south. At the bottom of this
map is W. Woodbridge Road running east / west. It does not connect to Staten Island because there is a levee and a waterway. Woodbridge
Road is a great viewing area. Since it is a dead end road without a freeway exit there is minimal traffic. The fields are farmed and provide
great feeding and loafing areas for large numbers of cranes. The road is also frequently used by bicyclists because of the low amount of traffic
and the cranes. About 2.5 miles to the west of I-5 is the Isenberg Sandhill Crane Preserve on the south side of the road. It is clearly marked
and has ample parking and an elevated viewing pad. The dancing baby crane in Day Of The Sandhill Cranes was filmed here. There is
another area, the north area, of the Isenberg Sandhill Crane Preserve that offers spectacular evening fly in viewing, particularly early in
the season. The public is invited to this area only on regularly scheduled tours. It is a wonderful way to spend a Sat. or Sun. afternoon / early
evening. But the real beauty of W. Woodbridge Road is that chances are pretty good that you will be able to see cranes hanging out in the
fields almost every day. Early morning is best. At times the road is very narrow and without shoulders. Be careful, particularly on foggy
mornings.
There is no freeway off ramp to W. Woodbridge Road. Exit on W. Peltier Road to the east and take Thornton Road south to Woodbridge.
For a very well done Google map to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge please click here.
If you feel you need to hire a guide, well OK, send me an e-mail.
map is W. Woodbridge Road running east / west. It does not connect to Staten Island because there is a levee and a waterway. Woodbridge
Road is a great viewing area. Since it is a dead end road without a freeway exit there is minimal traffic. The fields are farmed and provide
great feeding and loafing areas for large numbers of cranes. The road is also frequently used by bicyclists because of the low amount of traffic
and the cranes. About 2.5 miles to the west of I-5 is the Isenberg Sandhill Crane Preserve on the south side of the road. It is clearly marked
and has ample parking and an elevated viewing pad. The dancing baby crane in Day Of The Sandhill Cranes was filmed here. There is
another area, the north area, of the Isenberg Sandhill Crane Preserve that offers spectacular evening fly in viewing, particularly early in
the season. The public is invited to this area only on regularly scheduled tours. It is a wonderful way to spend a Sat. or Sun. afternoon / early
evening. But the real beauty of W. Woodbridge Road is that chances are pretty good that you will be able to see cranes hanging out in the
fields almost every day. Early morning is best. At times the road is very narrow and without shoulders. Be careful, particularly on foggy
mornings.
There is no freeway off ramp to W. Woodbridge Road. Exit on W. Peltier Road to the east and take Thornton Road south to Woodbridge.
For a very well done Google map to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge please click here.
If you feel you need to hire a guide, well OK, send me an e-mail.
Crane Connections
Links to Sandhill Crane
information & media
Links to Sandhill Crane
information & media
