Established in 1952, the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is 14,804 acres of artificially created yet intensively managed fields and wetlands to provide habitat for a wide variety of waterfowl and other water loving birds. Common varieties seen are mallards, teal and Canada geese, pintails, killdeer, egrets and herons, to name a few. A network of wells and irrigation canals provide precious water to maintain the wetland habitat. Every March nearly 20,000 Sandhill Cranes stop over for six weeks on their northern migration. The MV-NWR and local organizations host the Annual Crane Festival to welcome their arrival. It is truly a site to behold.
For more information…
Visit the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge website.
And Enjoy the Following Article…
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Come Explore Monte Vista
Crane Festival
Bird Species of the San Luis Valley
For more adventurous ideas in the South Fork Area visit the Upper Rio Grande Guide.
Image courtesy of USFWS website.