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September 19 ? For immediate release
Press contact: Jessica VanGinhoven <[email protected]>, (616) 786 - 4847

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*CraneFest Bus Trip on Sunday, October 9 [ [link removed] ]*

*Meet at 12 pm at Hemlock Crossing (return 10 pm)*

*$75/person or $125/couple*

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED [ [link removed] ] to secure a seat on the bus.
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CraneFest________________________________________________________________________

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*OTTAWA COUNTY, MI?**?* This fall experience something new with Ottawa County Parks! Each evening in early October thousands of Sandhill Cranes descend upon Big Marsh Lake near Bellevue, Michigan as they gather for their southward migration.?CraneFest is a celebration of this spectacle. In their 27th year hosting the event, the Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek plans to have an Artist Village, live animals, non-profit information tables, food truck, children?s activities, and guided nature hikes. The highlight is to witness the flight of the cranes as evening falls on Big Marsh Lake. With naturalist and birder Curtis Dykstra as your guide, you?ll experience this spectacle in a truly special way.



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About Sandhill Cranes

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Each fall, flocks of Sandhill Cranes gather to feed before heading south for winter. In November, they embark on their southward journey to Florida where they spend the winter. Western populations winter in the southwestern U.S. As winter wanes and the snow melts in March, the echoing sounds of their bugling calls can be heard once again in Michigan as flocks make their way north again to nest.?

In the early 1800?s Sandhill Cranes were widespread in Michigan, but by the turn of the century, it was feared they would disappear as only a few dozen pairs remained, mainly in the Upper Peninsula.? Over-hunting and loss of wetland habitat was mostly to blame, but in 1918 the Migratory Bird Treaty Act stopped hunting and saved the crane?s existence in Michigan. Through decades of conservation efforts, their population has recovered and soared to nearly 19,000 birds counted in Michigan a fall 2020 survey [ [link removed]. ]. Over the last couple decades Sandhill Cranes have become increasingly common nesting birds in the wet meadows, pastures and fields of Ottawa County. You can encounter them in Ottawa County Parks at locations such as Hemlock Crossing, Crockery Creek, Upper Macatawa and Grand River Park.?

Join us this fall and celebrate the spectacle!?


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*"Images included with this press release may be reproduced for editorial use."*

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*Ottawa County | Where You Belong*

Operations, improvements and programs are funded by grants, private donations [ [link removed] ], and a parks millage. If you own a $150,000 home, you pay $26 annually investing in opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education today and for future generations. Thank you. Learn more about the 7,000?acres of park land in Ottawa County at?miOttawa.org/Parks [ [link removed] ]

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Ottawa County Parks &
Recreation Commission



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The?Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Chairman?Matt Fenske |?Vice-Chairman?Al Dannenberg | Philip Kuyers |?Jim Holtvluwer |?Doug Zylstra | Roger Bergman |?Joe Baumann | Frank Garcia | Kyle Terpstra | Randy Meppelink | Greg DeJong

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