Surveying by the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition shows there are increased numbers and more wetlands available for nesting.
The sounds of the Greater Sandhill Crane range from purrs to hisses and finally to haunting bugle calls that evoke the prehistoric. Those sounds are the background soundtrack for Colorado Crane's executive director Erin Gelling, who after several years as program director, assumed the mantle of executive director leadership in January of this year.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and a master’s degree in Rangeland Management, Gelling has a strong background in avian ecology, botany, and environmental education, working for non-profits, governments, and universities.
“Our mission has two parts,” said Gelling. “The first is education and awareness about the Greater Sandhill Cranes that visit us each year. The second is a focus on science and conservation.”
While the Yampa Valley Crane Festival (scheduled to start Aug. 31), is the big education and awareness event of the year, the entire year has moments and opportunities to work with private landowners, children and the general public. It is all aimed and building public support for the cranes that migrate into the valley each summer, to build nests, lay eggs, rear “colts” and ultimately return to more southern habitat in the winter.
Also ongoing is a fall count of how many sandhill cranes are in northwest Colorado, a survey count of nests and restoration of wetlands. Gelling said there were some increases in numbers of birds and nests, and thanks to abundant moisture this past winter and spring, there were new or restored wetlands near streams and rivers.
Sandhill crane nesting pairs have been documented near Walden, Kremmling and even in the high country of California Park, north of Hayden.
“We're learning that some of the very best habitat a nesting pair can find,” said Gelling, “is a beaver pond.”
Beaver ponds are ideal for a number of reasons: wetlands, a wider array of food (fish, small frogs and amphibians, insects] and nesting sites – like right on top of a beaver lodge. That's great protection from predators like coyotes or foxes.
Beaver numbers were hit hard by trappers back in the 18th century, with fur processed into hats. Beaver numbers have increased and spread, but they occupy only a fraction of potential habitat. An official Colorado Beaver Restoration Assessment mapped empty habitat throughout the state and region, and found lots of room suitable for beavers. While there is a state program to relocate beavers who damage landscaping in towns and cities, there is no program designed to expand beaver habitat otherwise.
“We did notice that with all this extra moisture, nesting has been delayed for a couple weeks,” said Gelling. Previously dry areas were flooded, which also expands habitat.
The Coalition is also working to increase food resources for cranes. The Coalition has worked with a couple of local ranchers to get them to plant grain crops in the Yampa Valley – rye, oats, barley and wheat. The relatively new program is called Crops for Cranes.
“The region used to plant, grow and harvest lots of grain crops,” said Gelling, “but that has fallen off. We have contracts with a couple ranchers to plant grain crops and harvest those crops. That leaves a great deal of waste or spilled grain in the fields that the cranes can eat in the fall, bulk up and have more energy for migrations.”
Mary Beth Stephans of the Flanders Ranch on CR 80, is one rancher who planted a rye grain crop with the help of the Coalition buying the seed. Between Stephans and a neighboring rancher, some 100 acres has been planted with grains, with the expectation that post-harvest, there will be plenty of grains for the cranes to eat.
“We have a pair of cranes in the meadow with a colt,” said Stephans. “It will be interesting to see how the cranes respond to this new food source.”
Top Photo Caption: A trio of Sandhill Cranes flying. (Mike Mack/Courtesy)