Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge will host its annual A Celebration of Cranes at 10 a.m. Feb. 1 at the refuge, 12985 E. U.S. 50, Seymour.

At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., refuge staff and volunteers will lead a car caravan for tours where sandhill cranes can be viewed. No reservations are required.

There also will be information for self-guided tours at the refuge visitor center.

A children’s activity with a sandhill crane theme will be offered between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the refuge visitor center.

The sandhill crane population in Jackson County has reached more than 40,000, according to counts by refuge staff. Mid-February usually is a big migration time for the sandhill cranes through Jackson County.

The cranes migrate from northern states and southern Canada during the winter and stay until the latter part of February or even early March.

Cranes are viewed in fields of Jackson County throughout winter as they feed on waste grain left from the harvest. In the evenings, they return to areas, like the refuge, where they find wetlands to spend the night.

Information: Call 812-522-4352 or email [email protected]