The 24th Annual Eckert Crane Days Festival is set to take place the weekend of March 23 and 24 at Fruitgrower’s Reservoir in Hart’s Basin. This is just east of Eckert on North Rd. This year’s sponsors include  Western State Ranches, LLC (WSR). Members of BCAS will be onsite with spotting scopes and extra binoculars for viewing the roosting sandhill cranes, as well as other birds and waterfowl. Viewing begins each day at 9:00 AM for a late morning lift-off and again at dusk as more cranes come in to roost. WSR will host a free community BBQ at the ranch just north of the causeway in Hart’s Basin at noon on Saturday, March 23. The community is invited to attend free of charge and join in the festivities. Plan to stop by the BCAS table and find out what we are doing to support the local and migrating bird populations. Find out how homeowners can create an environment that attracts and supports bird species in the local area. This is a family event, so if you have school-aged children who would like to learn more about Sandhill Cranes, make sure to ask for a youth packet.