105 2nd Ave. NE • Pierz, MN • 320 468-6174 • www. pierzvetclinic. com
Crane Meadows Wildlife Refuge
Little Falls Directory • Morrison County Record • www. mcrecord. com • 2026 • 39
Birding beginners and fanatics of the feathered can find several avian species in their natural habitats at the Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge offers a wide variety of landscapes, making it the perfect place for birds of all kinds to make their summer homes or stop for a break during migration, with a good diversity of habitats. These include wooded areas, grasslands, deeper water areas and shallow water areas.
The refuge, located at 19502 Iris Road, just south of Little Falls, has trails that are open year-round from a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset. Check www. fws. gov / refuge / crane _ meadows for all current rules and regulations, as well as to see a map and plan a trip.
The spring and summer is perhaps the most exciting time for bird-watchers to check out the refuge. On a given day, one might catch a glimpse of 60- 80 different species.
This is helped by the refuge’ s close proximity to the Mississippi River, a major migratory flyway for many birds. Small birds, such as varieties of warblers and vireos, and large shorebirds like herons and sandpipers, have all been known to make an appearance at Crane Meadows.
Photo by Tony Wenzel
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