Fewer Sandhill Cranes seen at Whitewater Draw last month

Sandhill cranes. (Source: AZ Game and Fish Department)

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - In November there were few opportunities to see the Sandhill cranes, despite 1,500 sightings in October according to a news release from Arizona Game and Fish.

AZ Game and Fish officials cite the lack of runoff from the Mule Mountains and dense grass growth as factors that have forced the cranes to go elsewhere. AZ Game and Fish has been pumping water into the draw, at a cost of $5,000 a month.

"We do not have enough pumping capacity to offset the lack of natural runoff into the draw," said Acting Regional Supervisor Gabriel Paz of Game and Fish, in the release. "Rainfall patterns in southeastern Arizona are spotty, so water in the draw is low despite it raining heavily elsewhere."

Game and Fish biologists counted 14,127 cranes at Whitewater Draw on Jan. 6, 2015, as well as 5,837 at Willcox Playa and 58 at Crane Lake. The Duncan area had 810. The number of cranes wintering in the Sulphur Springs Valley peaks in early January.

Cranes typically begin arriving from mid-September to early October, leaving by mid February with some staying until March. The cranes usually fly out as a group at dawn to feed on grain from farmer's fields and as the light during the day shortens the birds leave later each morning. According to the release many of the cranes follow this pattern, but some also linger in or near the wildlife area.

Whitewater Draw Wildlife Management Area is open to the public free of charge, but donations are welcome.