For the moment, the arrival of cranes at Gallocanta remains sporadic, but the Aragonese lagoon is preparing guided visits with an environmental educator every weekend and holidays, at 10:30 and 15:30, with mandatory advance reservations on the website set up to register.
Gallocanta Wetland
The first cranes are already stopping along their journey to the areas where they will spend the winter. The guided and free visits to observe cranes at Gallocanta will begin on Saturday, October 24, and require prior reservation.
As of today, the arrival of the birds is gradual and their presence remains a sporadic event. The Gallocanta wetland offers refuge, rest and the much-needed food during the cranes’ migration from the north and east of Europe.
The program «Crane Route«, promoted by the Government of Aragón, will allow visitors to learn about their habits and migratory strategies alongside an environmental educator.
Outings will take place every weekend and holidays until early December, with sessions at 10:30 and 15:30. Reservations must be made on the Web of the Aragón Natural Network: www.rednaturaldearagon.com.
19,000 Cranes Counted in Gallocanta
The figure of more than 19,000 cranes counted on a single day in November of last year, provided by the Government of Aragón, helps gauge the importance of this migratory stopover. However, that count corresponds to one specific day and does not describe the current presence of the birds nor does it guarantee a similar concentration during the visits. For those planning a trip, the distinction is relevant: the routes begin while arrivals remain gradual and combine observation with explanations about the species and the wetland.
Crane Migration
The first cranes have begun arriving gradually at the Gallocanta Lagoon’s Managed Natural Reserve in their migration toward warmer areas where they will spend the winter, while the interpretation center prepares a new edition of the free guided visits “Crane Route,” which will begin on October 24.
The presence of these birds is still sporadic, a common situation during the first weeks of the postnuptial migratory passage, when thousands of individuals undertake a journey of thousands of kilometers from the north and east of Europe toward their wintering grounds.
The lagoon of Gallocanta constitutes “an essential stopover” on this route, as it offers shelter, rest and food to the cranes. According to official data from the Government of Aragón, in November of last year more than 19,000 individuals were counted in the Gallocanta basin.
The migration of this species is one of the most remarkable natural spectacles in Aragón and every year it draws photographers and nature enthusiasts interested in observing its passage and its concentrations in the wetland.
To bring this phenomenon closer to visitors, the Interpretation Center of the Gallocanta Lagoon’s Managed Natural Reserve, located on the road between Bello and Tornos, will again organize the visits “Crane Route,” promoted by the Department of Environment and Tourism of the Government of Aragón.
The activity consists of a tour around the lagoon’s surroundings, with explanatory and observation stops, guided by an environmental educator.
Moreover, during the visit, participants can learn about the species’ characteristics, its habits, its morphology and its migratory strategies, as well as observe the birds in their natural habitat.
Outings will begin on Saturday, October 24 and will continue until early December. They will be held on weekends and holidays, with two daily sessions, at 10:30 and 15:30 hours.
Participation is free, although advance reservations are required through the website www.rednaturaldearagon.com.
