Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 10/12/2026 by Don Henise

On this very warm October day, the human visitors to Haehnle Sanctuary outnumbered the Sandhill Crane visitors. There were a handful of flyovers, but only 5 cranes landed out in the marsh to roost for the night.

(Steve Jerant)

We noted the first American Wigeons of the season on Mud Lake, a Ruby Crowned Kinglet visited the apple trees near the lower benches and a group of White-throated Sparrows were hanging out in the brush to the right of the main lookout along with a lone Oranged-crowned Warbler. A few of our visitors were entained with scope views of 3 Bald Eagles sitting in a distant tree. Please see the eBird checklist below for a full list of species.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)(Don Henise)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)(Don Henise)

Total Cranes Roosting: 5

81 F, Calm, Clear

Counters: Ross Green, Steve Jerant, Don Henise

Compiled by: Don Henise

Crane Count checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S402048524

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)(Don Henise)

Black-legged Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum nigripes)(Don Henise)

Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)(Don Henise)