This week should have been our annual peak but we only counted 1,839 cranes today.  They are coming in during the last hour before sunset and are in large groups.  We are seeing more cranes settling in the eastern portions of Mud Lake Marsh but very few actually coming in from the east. 

Over sixty visitors were on hand to witness groups of cranes flying directly above the overlook.  An immature Coopers Hawk joined us on the overlook and perched for a while before setting off for a passerine snack.  The mercury was in the sixties and although no bats were seen a few mosquitoes were still with us.  A dozen Autumn Meadowhawk dragonflies were seen. 

You can view past postings and historical crane counting data at http://www.haehnlesanctuary.org/cranecount.html.

Crane counters:    Robyn Henise, Don Henise, Ross Green, and Gary Siegrist
Compiler:  Steve Jerant
Submitted by Steve Jerant

Crane Count-1839

Species count- 38

Pied-billed Grebe

Great Blue Heron

Mute Swan

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Green-winged Teal

American Black Duck

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Widgeon

Hooded Merganser

Northern Harrier

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Sandhill Crane

Ring-billed Gull

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Northern Cardinal

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

House Finch

American Goldfinch