Thousands of Sandhill Cranes at sunset
A must-see spectacle for all nature enthusiasts
Travel and bird with an expert guide
Indiana's Greatest Birding Spectacle
Join guide David Rupp for a visit to the main birding attraction in Indiana in late fall: Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. This state property in northwest Indiana is home to the largest staging area in the eastern United States for the Sandhill Cranes as they begin their migration south. Tens of thousands of these magnificent birds forage in the surrounding fields and wetlands before arriving at dusk in the large pasture where they have been congregating for decades.
Tour participants will spend the day birding in the area before arriving at the viewing platform to witness this spectacle. Choose to ride with David from Chicago or meet him on site. Either way, you will be emotionally enriched by the sights and sounds of nature at its finest. Read below for more details.
Tour Highlights
Visit the premier place in the eastern United States to see Sandhill Cranes in migration
See thousands of cranes gather at sunset
Hear the non-stop echoing bugles of the cranes in flight
Ask questions as you travel with an expert guide
Transportation provided from Chicago
Enjoy birding at northwest Indiana wetlands
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Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
- $110/person (max 4) includes transportation from Chicago.
- $50/person partial tour. Meet at Jasper-Pulaski FWA at 2 p.m.
- $450/group PRIVATE TOUR. Contact David if interested.
Departure time
- 9:30 a.m. from meeting spot in Chicago
- 2:00 p.m. for partial tour (at Jasper-Pulaski FWA)
Meeting point
A convenient meeting point in Chicago will be communicated ahead of time.
For those meeting at Jasper-Pulaski FWA at 2 p.m.: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7xSEvNewBe3B5QNr7
Availability
November 18 to December 14, 2024
Duration
- 9 hours includes travel to and from Chicago.
- 3.5 hours for those that meet at Jasper-Pulaski.
Group size
3 to 8
Participation requirements
- Minimum age: 8
- No birding knowledge required
Included
Transportation from Chicago, spotting scopes, binoculars, hot chocolate and hot tea
Not included
- Lunch. We will stop for lunch along the route.
- Transportation for those people meeting at Jasper-Pulaski FWA.
What to bring
- Dress in layers
- Bring snacks and a water bottle
- Binoculars if you have them
Number & type of staff for tour
Guide David Rupp will lead the tour and drive from Chicago for those that want to ride with him
Good to Know
Weather Considerations
Weather can be unpleasant this time of year. We will spend a lot of time driving from place to place and also birding from the vehicle. However, please bring extra layers (hats, gloves, scarves, etc.) for observing the cranes from the viewing platform at sunset. The tour will be canceled with a full refund or rescheduled if the weather is too severe for bird observation.
Frequently Asked Questions
We need a minimum of 3 people traveling from Chicago to run the tour. If the minimum is not reached, you will have the choice of a full refund or being rescheduled to a date with more people registered.
Please contact David (david@indigobirding.com) to see about the possibility. There is a good chance that we can find a meeting spot that makes sense if you are able to drive a bit.
That depends on who all registers and will be communicated several days before the tour. Most likely we will use a grocery or mall parking lot that is centrally located, free, and easily accessible. David might be able to pick you up if you live on the south side or near the route.
What You’ll See & Do
Experience the Sandhill Cranes
One of the great wildlife spectacles in the midwest is the staging of Sandhill Cranes at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in northwest Indiana as they migrate south. Each evening the cranes fly from nearby fields into a large pasture at the edge of the wetlands, bugling and dancing in an annual ritual that must be seen and heard to be appreciated. The number of cranes can reach over 30,000 birds in the weeks around Thanksgiving. The DNR posts their counts from the past couple of years on this site.
Tour Options with Guide David Rupp
On this tour, guide David Rupp will meet people in Chicago to provide transportation for up to four people to this site about 1.5 hours away. To make the trip even better, we offer two options for birding and general wildlife-viewing along the way:
- Stop at Kankakee Sands Nature Preserve in Newton County to view the bison herd and look for sparrows, raptors, and more. Eat lunch at The Farmhouse Restaurant at Fair Oaks Farms. Continue on to Jasper-Pulaski for an afternoon with the cranes.
- Go birding near the Indiana Dunes, taking an opportunity to pursue birds seen during this season. Eat lunch at the Blackbird Cafe in Valparaiso. Enjoy afternoon birding for eagles, swans, waterfowl, and more at Kankakee FWA before arriving at Jasper-Pulaski.
Central and Southern Indiana Participants
For people joining the tour from central and southern Indiana, there is a registration option of meeting at 2:00 p.m. CST (3 pm EST) at Jasper-Pulaski FWA for the Sandhill Crane portion of the tour. You will be expected to drive your own vehicle as we visit the best crane viewing spots around the property. We will communicate via provided walkie-talkies as needed. Please note that this option will only be available if there are at least 3 people registered for the full tour from Chicago. Please email david@indigobirding.com if you have questions.
Private Tours
Private tours are available as well at a cost of $450 for your group. You can select a date on the tour calendar or contact David to reserve your tour. Private tours can be any size group, but the number of people that can be accommodated in our vehicle is 5. You will need to provide transportation for additional people in the group above this number.
