Barren River hosting sandhill crane tours this Winter

LUCAS, Ky. (WTVQ) – Barren River Lake State Resort Park is offering its Nature Watch Weekends to view sandhill cranes as they migrate home to the north in January and February.

Each year thousands of sandhill cranes make Barren River Lake a stop as they congregate in huge numbers to migrate. The lake’s exposed mud flats in winter provide the birds with a spot to rest and socialize as they settle in for the night. Ample farmlands and wet meadows offer plenty of food.

Sandhill cranes are tall, gray birds reaching heights up to 4 feet, weighing up to 12 pounds with a wingspan of 6-7 feet. They have two distinct features about them: one is their appearance of a crimson, red-crowned forehead, white cheeks, and fluffy rear end; the other is when in flight, the long dark legs trail behind and the long neck is kept straight out, rather than tucked in towards the body.

Barren River is offering tours during two weekends for guests to learn more about these intriguing birds with a unique sound. Tours will be held Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 5-6, 2016.

Each weekend also includes an educational session conducted by a wildlife biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources on Friday evening at 7 p.m. Registration is $40 per adult and $20 per child 8-12 years old (must be at least 8 years old to go on van tours). The fee includes all educational sessions, a box lunch, a T-shirt and a choice of a Friday sunset, Saturday sunrise or Saturday sunset tour.

For more information, contact Logan Clark at logan.clark@ky.gov or 270-646-2151. When making reservations ask for the sandhill crane lodge room rate of $49.95 plus tax.