Sandhill cranes in southern Arizona ahead of Wings Over Willcox festival [Video]

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The time has come for thousands of sandhill cranes to flock to southern Arizona and make the small town of Willcox a destination for bird fans across the globe.

Arizona Game and Fish said nearly 40,000 sandhill cranes are now near the area as they always do once the temperatures start dropping… drawing in a crowd to the local businesses.

“I was just looking at the schedule and we’re all full for that weekend and so it’s always a good weekend for us,” said Willcox Mayor Greg Hancock. “It helps fill up all the hotel rooms, you’ll go to the restaurants on the weekends and see they’re full, especially the tasting rooms.”

The love of birding has seemed to make its way into part of the town… with the Wings Over Willcox event coming up next Friday.

“There’s something about doing things together as a community that’s always nice,” Wings Over Willcox Festival chairman Homer …