ABO - Sandhill Crane Festival

Alaska Bird Observatory

Okay, it's actually a Friends of Creamer's Field's event (offered in cooperation with the Alaska Bird Observatory and Arctic Audubon Society), but we're pretty excited about it.

ANNUAL SANDHILL CRANE FESTIVAL
Celebrating Sandhill Cranes and Fall Migration
August 25-27, 2006

Photo by Bill Morgan

JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION OF SANDHILL CRANES AND FALL MIGRATION IN THE TANANA VALLEY

Each August as thousands of Sandhill Cranes begin their southward passage from Alaska and Siberia the Tanana Valley rings with gathering calls. One of the best places to catch this spectacle is at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in the heart of Fairbanks, Alaska where daily Sandhill Crane tallies regularly top 1,000. The best time to enjoy fall staging is late August and early September. Peak time is during the annual Sandhill Crane Festival sponsored jointly by Friends of Creamer's Field, Arctic Audubon Society and the Alaska Bird Observatory.

The 2006 Sandhill Crane Festival will be held August 25 to 27 and will include talks, bird watching, nature walks, workshops and many other related activities with ample opportunities for observing cranes and other fall migrants. This year's guest speaker will be well-known photographer Michael Forsberg.

For further information about the Sandhill Crane Festival check the schedule below or contact Friends of Creamer's Field at PO Box 81067, Fairbanks Alaska 99708. Phone 907-452-5162.

Schedule of Events
(All events meet at the Creamer's Refuge Farmhouse unless otherwise noted)

Date Time Event

08/25/06 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Opening Reception at the Alaska Bird Observatory. Meet keynote speaker Michael Forsberg and his family while enjoying desserts and music. Tickets are $25 ($20 for members of Friends of Creamer’s Field) and are on sale at the Creamer’s Farmhouse and ABO. You can catch a hayride from ABO to the Creamer’s Farmhouse in time for the slideshow!

08/25/06 9:30 PM Watch From Cows to Cranes: The Creamer’s Conservation Story, this slideshow is shown on the big barn and is an introduction to Creamer’s Refuge and all it means to our community with music by Susan Grace.

08/26/06 9:00 AM Bird-banding Demonstration. Take a guided walk out to the Alaska Bird Observatory’s bird-banding station. See songbirds live and up close and learn about ABO’s research. Free, but donations are encouraged.

08/26/06 10:00 AM Nature Walk amongst the cranes

08/26/06 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Brunch with the Cranes. Enjoy healthy food and live music with Sandhill Cranes as your backdrop. Cost: $5.
Book and Poster Signing with Michael Forsberg
Crane Watch at the viewing platforms around Creamer’s Field
Crane Calling Contest for kids and adult at 12 PM

08/26/06 1:00 PM Kids Crane Walk. Join a naturalist on a leisurely walk for kids of all ages.

08/26/06 2:00 PM Crane Photography with Michael Forsberg, an information event for photography enthusiasts. Bring your own camera gear if you wish.

08/26/06 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Crane Crafts for kids of all ages, a variety of craft projects including crane origami

08/20/06 3:00 PM Alaska's Owls program with a live owl at the Alaska Bird Observatory

08/26/06 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Crane Watch (at Creamer’s Field viewing platforms)

08/26/06 7:00 PM On Ancient Wings, a presentation by Michael Forsberg at Schaible Auditorium on the University of Alaska lower campus. Suggested donation: $5

08/27/06 10:00 AM "Cruise for Cranes" Walk with Michael Forsberg starting at the Alaska Bird Observatory.

08/27/06 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Crane Watch at the viewing platforms around Creamer’s Field

08/27/06 1:00 PM Kids Crane Walk. Join a naturalist on a leisurely walk for kids of all ages.

08/27/06 1:00 PM Crane Sketching Workshop at the viewing platform at Creamer’s Field. Join Mark Ross in capturing cranes on paper. Bring your own pencils and sketch pads.

08/27/06 3:00 PM Alaska Owls Presentation with a live owl at the Creamer’s Farmhouse

08/27/06 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Crane Watch (at Creamer’s Field viewing platforms)

08/27/05 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Tex-Mex Dinner. Send the cranes on their southward journey while enjoying good food and live music from south of the border. Cost: $10. All proceeds benefit Camp Habitat.

08/27/05 7:00 PM Quilt Raffle Drawing for Karin Fransen’s Taking Refuge. Tickets are on sale at the Creamer’s Farmhouse Visitor Center until 7 PM on August 27.

For further information about the Sandhill Crane Festival check the websites or contact Friends of Creamer's Field at PO Box 81067, Fairbanks Alaska 99708. Phone 907-452-5162.

Date	Time	Event
08/25/06	7:00 PM - 9:00 PM	Opening Reception at the Alaska Bird Observatory. Meet keynote speaker Michael Forsberg and his family while enjoying desserts and music. Tickets are $25 ($20 for members of Friends of Creamer’s Field) and are on sale at the Creamer’s Farmhouse and ABO. You can catch a hayride from ABO to the Creamer’s Farmhouse in time for the slideshow!
08/25/06	9:30 PM	Watch From Cows to Cranes: The Creamer’s Conservation Story, this slideshow is shown on the big barn and is an introduction to Creamer’s Refuge and all it means to our community with music by Susan Grace.
08/26/06	9:00 AM	Bird-banding Demonstration. Take a guided walk out to the Alaska Bird Observatory’s bird-banding station. See songbirds live and up close and learn about ABO’s research. Free, but donations are encouraged.
08/26/06	10:00 AM	Nature Walk amongst the cranes
08/26/06	11:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Brunch with the Cranes. Enjoy healthy food and live music with Sandhill Cranes as your backdrop. Cost: $5. Book and Poster Signing with Michael Forsberg Crane Watch at the viewing platforms around Creamer’s Field Crane Calling Contest for kids and adult at 12 PM
08/26/06	1:00 PM	Kids Crane Walk. Join a naturalist on a leisurely walk for kids of all ages.
08/26/06	2:00 PM	Crane Photography with Michael Forsberg, an information event for photography enthusiasts. Bring your own camera gear if you wish.
08/26/06	2:00 - 4:00 PM	Crane Crafts for kids of all ages, a variety of craft projects including crane origami
08/20/06	3:00 PM	Alaska's Owls program with a live owl at the Alaska Bird Observatory
08/26/06	4:00 PM - 6:00 PM	Crane Watch (at Creamer’s Field viewing platforms)
08/26/06	7:00 PM	On Ancient Wings, a presentation by Michael Forsberg at Schaible Auditorium on the University of Alaska lower campus. Suggested donation: $5
08/27/06	10:00 AM	"Cruise for Cranes" Walk with Michael Forsberg starting at the Alaska Bird Observatory.
08/27/06	11:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Crane Watch at the viewing platforms around Creamer’s Field
08/27/06	1:00 PM	Kids Crane Walk. Join a naturalist on a leisurely walk for kids of all ages.
08/27/06	1:00 PM	Crane Sketching Workshop at the viewing platform at Creamer’s Field. Join Mark Ross in capturing cranes on paper. Bring your own pencils and sketch pads.
08/27/06	3:00 PM	Alaska Owls Presentation with a live owl at the Creamer’s Farmhouse
08/27/06	4:00 PM - 6:00 PM	Crane Watch (at Creamer’s Field viewing platforms)
08/27/05	5:00 PM - 9:00 PM	Tex-Mex Dinner. Send the cranes on their southward journey while enjoying good food and live music from south of the border. Cost: $10. All proceeds benefit Camp Habitat.
08/27/05	7:00 PM	Quilt Raffle Drawing for Karin Fransen’s Taking Refuge. Tickets are on sale at the Creamer’s Farmhouse Visitor Center until 7 PM on August 27.

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