Thousands of sandhill cranes gather at Minnesota’s Sherburne Refuge ahead of fall migration, peaking late October.

Thousands of sandhill cranes are gathering at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in central Minnesota ahead of their fall migration. The birds, which include both young and adult cranes, are feeding and resting in the refuge’s wetlands and grasslands. Wildlife officials say the site serves as a crucial stopover for the cranes as they travel south. The peak numbers are expected in late October, drawing birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to the area.