Seeing Sandhill Cranes in the Albuquerque Area
The sandhill cranes that pass through or spend the winter in the Albuquerque area begin showing up in mid-September and usually have departed by April. They spend the day in farm fields and grassy areas in the valley and spend the night at the river.
Here are four locations in Albuquerque where you can observe sandhill cranes:
- Rio Grande Nature Center State Park has a viewing platform at the northeast corner of the overflow parking lot. This platform looks out onto the City Open Space Candelaria Nature Preserve just northeast of the park, where the cranes love to spend their day.
- Los Poblanos Open Space is on the north side of Montaño between 4th St NW and the Rio Grande. Walking paths around and through this area provide the opportunity to view cranes up close.
- Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center is off Coors NW between Montaño and Paseo del Norte. The Visitor Center has a patio/viewing platform looking out onto the fields full of cranes.
- Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is at 7851 Second St SW about 3 miles south of Rio Bravo. Call ahead or stop in at the Visitor Center to find out where the cranes are being seen at the 500+ acre refuge.