About Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge
The Blue Moon will operate in the refuge from Dec 23, 2008 through February 28th, 2009.
Hiwassee
Island, located in the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge at the confluence of the
Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers, is the premium wintering observation site
in the southeast for the magnificent Sandhill Crane. In North America
the Sandhill Crane is second in height only to the Whooping Crane. Both crane species are stately in appearance and graceful in
flight and landings.
The Sandhill Cranes have been using the area as a stop over on their migration for thousands of years. Their bones have been found in the trash heaps on Hiwassee Island and other area Native American Villages pre-dating the Cherokee. Until this year the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency had been planting food such as corn, millet, buckwheat and winter wheat for the cranes and winter waterfowl.
Along with the 10,000 plus Sandhill Cranes we usually have a few Whooping Cranes in the area. One Whooping Crane has already been spotted this year in the refuge! The refuge was a stop-over location for Operation Migration until this season. Operation Migration is taking a more westerly route with this year's young Whoopers because of the difficulty the birds and ultra lights were having crossing the Cumberland Plateau. The Whooping Crane population has been on the decline for years and is one of the most endangered cranes in the world. Operation Migration has been key in restoring the migrating population of Whooping Cranes in the Eastern United States. We can only hope the Whooping Cranes will continue to use the Refuge on their migration route.
The
Blue Moon's Eco-Cruise is an exceptional way to view not only the cranes
but also 90-100 other species of migrating birds. The refuge is the wintering home of over 20 adult and juvenile Bald Eagles. It has the earliest known nesting Bald Eagles in the state. The eagles will begin incubation in early December and have been using the same nest for over 10 years. The eagles will add to their nest each season so we can only guess at the weight and actual size of the nest. An educated estimate would be well over one ton and 5-6 feet in diameter. There are two other active Bald Eagle nests in the area.
The cruise is not just about the cranes and eagles. The Refuge has over 100 species of resident and migrating birds along with rich Native American and early history of the area. Our cruise in the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge is the only way to view the refuge from the water. Click here for a list of other birds you may see on our trip.
We look forward to having you on board with Blue Moon Cruises.
>>Click here for pricing and trip details.
Or call toll free 1-888-993-BLUE (2583)
