Annual Cherokee Heritage and Sandhill Crane Viewing Days Information December 21, 2005 Good News! It's time for the 14th Annual Cherokee Indian Heritage and Sandhill Crane Viewing Days (February 4-5) in Birchwood on Saturday, and Saturday and Sunday at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. It's getting bigger and better with each passing year. Sandhill Cranes Once again the star wildlife attraction will be the conspicuous and graceful Sandhills. Last winter's peak count was 15,000 birds. This is the largest easy-to-view wintering flock east of the Mississippi River. Whooping Cranes Forty-one whoopers are now migrating on their own from their primary summer area in Wisconsin. Last winter several spent a great deal of time in the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge before moving on. This year at least four birds have been seen in the slough just in front of the viewing area. Four more individuals have been hand-raised and are migrating on their own with some of the older birds. If they are present, we will know! Cherokee Removal Memorial Park More good news! Grants have now been confirmed totaling over 1.5 million dollars towards completing the Park. The Park is located at the old Blythe Ferry Landing in Meigs County near the confluence of the Tennessee and Hiwassee Rivers. A viewing platform has been completed and provides a panoramic view of Hiwassee Island with all its rich archeological, historical and wildlife attributes. This is also an excellent location to watch for thousands of cranes as they arrive daily in the evening and depart in the morning from their roost site. It is also an excellent place to watch for both Bald and Golden Eagles. Vendors and Exhibitors One of the best ways to learn about the area is to spend time with the vendors and exhibitors on site. All are knowledgeable on their subject matter and offer a unique perspective on the area. Also, keep in mind this is the only time of the year when it is possible to assemble such a great combination of speakers, vendors, exhibitors and wildlife for a fun-filled weekend! Park and Ride Catch the shuttle bus at the Birchwood School for a short ride to the Hiwassee Refuge to view sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and possibly even whooping cranes! Buses will depart throughout the day on Saturday. Program 8:30 a.m. - Introduction of Special Guests and Master of Ceremonies for the Day - Dan Hicks, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. 8:45 a.m. - Welcome to Birchwood - Hoyt Branham, lifetime resident of Birchwood. 9:00 a.m. - Plans for the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park -John Brown, Project Landscape Architect. 9:15 a.m. - Hiking the Historic Unicoi Turnpike - Jeffrey Hunter, American Hiking Society. 10:15 a.m. - Eagles and Other Cherokee Myths - Fred Bradley, Cherokee Story Teller. 11:00 a.m. - Eat and enjoy the exhibits. Also, music will be provided by 2nd Nature, with band members Don King, Brant Miller and Dave Woodward. 1:00 p.m. - My Whooping Crane Story - Vickie Henderson, Author and Artist. 1:15 p.m. - Live Raptor Show - Featuring a live American Bald Eagle - John Stokes and Dale Kernahan, Save Our American Raptors, Inc. 2:15 p.m. - Planning the Future - TWRA's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy -Greg Wathen, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. 3:15 p.m. - Old-Time Music - Tom Morgan, Lynne Haas, Dalton Roberts and local Birchwood legend, "Red Bird" Clingan, bring their unique blend of traditional music to wrap up a great day! Event Information Saturday, 8:45 a.m. - 4 p.m. a.. Speakers, displays and music at Birchwood School b.. Sandhill Crane viewing at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge Sunday - all day a.. Sandhill Crane viewing continues at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge Representatives of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Tennessee Ornithological Society will provide interpretation at the refuge and set up spotting scopes to improve public viewing. Directions: From 1-40, take US Highway 58 south to TN Highway 60. Turn right and watch for signs to the event. Birchwood is located on TN Highway 60, midway between Dayton and Cleveland and only three miles from the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. Food and Lodging: Numerous motels and eating establishments are located in nearby Cleveland and Chattanooga. The Birchwood School will sell food and drinks at the school on Saturday only. For general information, call Meigs Co. Tourism at (423) 334-5850, ext. 1. For specific program information, call Ken Dubke at (423) 499-3584. ------------------------ Posted by: Wallace Coffey Bristol, TN =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. You are also required to list the count in which the birds you report were seen. 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Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx _____________________________________________________________ Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp _____________________________________________________________