Check out the action on the Sandhill Crane Cam.

Sandhill Cranes have returned to southeastern Arizona and the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s live-streaming camera is again trained on their winter roosting area at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. Now birders can watch hundreds of these exciting cranes in high-definition – the department recently upgraded its live-streaming camera to HD. The latest count totaled more than 14,000 Sandhill Cranes at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, and the number of wintering cranes will continue to increase throughout the next few weeks.

The best times to observe the Sandhills live is in the early morning and during the afternoon, although like all birds, the movements of the cranes are not always predictable. Check back periodically to monitor when the cranes are in view to watch their activities that may even include dancing.

“This is truly an exciting time of year at Whitewater Draw,” AZGFD Watchable Wildlife Program Manager Randy Babb said, noting that each fall Sandhill Cranes migrate south from as far away as Siberia to winter in southern Arizona. “Not only are the birds putting on a wonderful show, we are pleased to offer this feed in HD in an attempt to bring the public a truly unfiltered crisp view of our state’s wildlife.”

The live stream, which can be viewed at www.azgfd.gov/sandhillcranes, is one of only two in the country that offer viewers a glimpse into crane wintering behavior. The live stream is offered from late October, when cranes first start to arrive at Whitewater Draw, through March or early April when the cranes migrate to northern nesting range.

You can also view a recent video of the wintering cranes at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fAOPh8XlCHd31KyceX8e2nYMul5ein5F/view