As of today, out of season, returns ~October. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Each winter tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes congregate at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
At first light the birds take off in waves, creating a sustained, dramatic 'blast-off' as flocks stream from roosting marshes into surrounding fields to feed.
The behavior is daily during the winter season and is highly predictable at dawn under normal conditions.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Visitor Center Overlook |
| Auto Tour Loop - South Marsh Pullouts |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.