Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 11/03/2025 By Don Henise

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) (DonHenise)

Sandhill Crane numbers increased immensely over the past week. Last Monday only 289 stayed to roost in Mud Lake Marsh. This week we had 1363 cranes roosting in Mud Lake Marsh Monday evening. Between 5:00 and 5:30 the cranes came in a rush from all directions. The cranes flew in over the marsh and mingled together, some continuing to other locations, but most settling down and landing.

Since not all the cranes flying in were landing, it was quite difficult to count cranes that evening. We couldn't just count all the cranes flying into the area. We had to wait until they dropped their legs as they came in to land. Kudos to Robyn who took on this task and clicked in all 1363 birds. Actually, she clicked in more than that. We also had cranes pick up out of the marsh and leave, which we had to count and subtract from the total clicked in. Made for an interesting evening and hectic last half hour.

Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii)(DonHenise)

Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) (DonHenise)

Raptors were a highlight during the count. No less than 4 Northern Harriers were working the marsh including our 1st adult silver-gray male for the season, a couple of immature Bald Eagles passed over, a young Cooper's Hawk landed for a minute in the trees in the middle of the prairie. Between crane clicks, Eagle-eye Robyn spotted a light morph Rough-legged Hawk trying to sneak by high overhead. Please see the complete eBird checklist link below.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)(DonHenise)

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)

Total Cranes Roosting: 1363

Counters: Robyn Henise, Steve Jerant, Don Henise

Compiled by: Don Henise

Complete eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S282789453

(DonHenise)

(DonHenise)