Sandhill cranes flock to Sacramento Valley [Video]

LODI, Calif. — Every year, bird watchers flock to the wetlands of Lodi to witness the annual migration of the Sandhill cranes. The migration is part of the Pacific Flyway, which draws thousands of cranes southward from the chilly landscapes of Canada and Alaska to their winter sanctuary in the Sacramento Valley.

The path these birds take has inspired bird watchers for generations. Jane Adams, a docent for the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival, says the annual journey is a tradition passed down through generations of Sandhill cranes. 

“The young birds are born up north. They migrate down here with mom and dad. Migration is a learned behavior. It’s not innate,” Adams said.

The Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival celebrates this natural wonder, offering over 50 tours for bird watchers, photographers and nature enthusiasts …