Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 10/26/2026 by Don Henise

Haehnle Sanctuary(Don Henise)

After several weeks of low counts It would seem that some northern cranes have finally move south. We counted 633 Sandhill Cranes flying into Mud Lake Marsh to roost for the night. Many cranes came in from the west flying right over the observation hill. As with last week, a big push of cranes came right at sunset with several large lines coming in from across the marsh from the east-northeast as the light was failing.

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)(Don Henise)

An immature Bald Eagle made a flight overhead, the regular Northern Harriers were seen working the marsh. Songbirds were fairly quiet, but we did see 3 female Purple Finches, our first of the fall. As usual, the eBird checklist is linked below.

Sandhill Cranes roosting in Mud Lake Marsh: 633

60 F, Calm, Clear

Counters Gary Siegrist, Don Henise

Compiled by: Don Henise

Crane Count checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S405718381

Editor's Note:  Tonight was also the annual USFWS Crane count performed by volunteers of the Jackson Audubon Society.  Three other locations in Jackson County were surveyed during the same period as the Haehnle Sanctuary count.

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)(Don Henise)