Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 10/02/2023
by Don Henise

It was a seasonally warm afternoon and evening for our Monday Crane Count at Haehnle Sanctuary. It was pleasantly warm enough for short sleeves and short pants until the mosquitoes forced us to cover up.

Only Seven Sandhill Cranes remained in Mud Lake Marsh for the night.  Just before dusk, many ducks began flying into the marsh - mostly Mallards and Wood Ducks, but also a few Blue-winged Teal and our first of the season American Wigeons. A Merlin rocketed out of the marsh and up over the observation hill earlier in the evening. Robyn found a Lincoln's Sparrow behind us near the overlook. Large flocks of Red-winged blackbirds are beginning to roost in the marsh and several flocks wooshed right overhead on their way in.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

With the warm weather, there were lots of Autumn Meadowhawk dragonflies around the prairie along with many Clouded and Orange Sulphur butterflies, a few Monarchs and a Viceroy or two.

Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)

eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S151303731

Total Cranes Roosting - 7
Crane Counters - Robyn Henise and Steve Jerant
Compiler - Don Henise
Photos-Don Henise