A park on the north side of Madison, Wisconsin, is an urban haven for nature enthusiasts. With its diverse landscapes, extensive recreational facilities, and wildlife offerings, Warner Park beckons visitors to explore its natural wonders. In the fall and spring, the park is a stopover site for Sandhill Cranes. Grab your binoculars and camera. Here’s what you need to know about a Wisconsin park that’s great for seeing cranes.

Warner Park boasts a serene setting with vast open spaces, wooded trails, and a large area of wetlands. It’s near another beautiful natural area - Cherokee Marsh.

Beyond its natural beauty, Warner Park thrives as a community hub. Its picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields are perfect to families, groups, and sports enthusiasts. It’s a popular place for gatherings, recreational games, and leisurely picnics.

Warner Park is a prime urban location for spotting Sandhill Cranes. These majestic birds frequent the park's fields and marshy areas, offering an excellent opportunity for birdwatchers and nature photographers to witness their graceful presence.

The 213-acre park hosts a variety of events through the year, from festivals to races. It’s also home to the Park Community Recreation Center, which has fitness facilities and programming. There's also a baseball stadium that's the place to be on a warm summer night.

The park also draws large numbers of geese. The park is not far from the airport, and there has been controversial culling of geese over the years.

The sandhill cranes arrive in much smaller numbers than the geese, but they are hard to miss. They are known for their trumpet-like calls, which can be heard from a considerable distance away.

Observing sandhill cranes in their natural habitat is a treat for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. If you visit Warner Park, or nearby Cherokee Marsh, you may be lucky enough to see them!

I recently saw some beautiful cranes at the park. Two of the birds were in the field when I arrived, and three others came in for a landing - they slowly circled the field before they landed, like airplanes in a traffic pattern. They are truly remarkable birds! Lean more about Warner Park and other Madison parks and trails on the City of Madison website. Get all your birdwatching, hiking, and camping supplies at REI; and if you're up for more outdoor adventures, here are some of the top natural wonders in Wisconsin.