Nine of us went on a morning tour of the Dahlem Center today.  There was light snow and just a bit of wind.  It was quiet and not a lot of bird activity but it's always a treat to walk the property, especially through the conifers in the winter.  

Some of the group followed the outing with a lunch at Knights.

(Steve Jerant)

eBird Checklist

Another great week of crane activity at the Sanctuary.  The count team, and we once again need a team to count them all, tallied 3,331 cranes staying in Mud Lake Marsh tonight.  And they estimated an additional 2,000-3,000 settling in locations north of the property.  Most of the traffic is still coming from the west.  I counted over 2K cranes from the Dalton/Hawkins Rds. area last night which were heading in the direction of Haehnle Sanctuary.

(Steve Jerant)

We had several nice overflights above the observation area and 3 small murmuration of blackbirds way out over the marsh.

Two Mute Swan, likely displaced from the drained lake to our south, joined the 13 other species of varied waterbirds on our list this afternoon.  And Tundra Swans were heard above, but not seen.

(Steve Jerant)

The weather is starting to chill, but it was not too windy, so we stayed comfortable. 

Greeters will continue to staff the overlook area on Saturdays and Sundays until the end of November. 

(Steve Jerant)

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

Species count:  39

View Don’s eBird checklist at eBird Checklist - 14 Nov 2022 - Haehnle Sanctuary - 39 species

We had a spectacular moon rise as the sun was setting.

(Don Henise)

Crane Count: 3,461 (2,283 Stayed in Mud Lake Marsh)

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  500

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)  4

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)  2

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)  3

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)  3

Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  3

American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  15

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  400

American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)  8

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)  1

Green-winged Teal (American) (Anas crecca carolinensis)  30

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  80

    Eagle Lake

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  24

    Eagle Lake

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)  4

    Eagle Lake

American Coot (Fulica americana)  50

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)  3461

    2283 cranes roosting in Mud Lake Marsh, 1178 flybys

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  1

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  7

Great Egret (Ardea alba)  1

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  2

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)  1

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)  1

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)  2

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  6

    Individually counted - 4 adults,  1 imm 1st yr, 1 near adult 4th year with dark terminal band on white tail

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)  1

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  4

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)  2

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1

Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) (Colaptes auratus auratus/luteus)  1

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  5

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  2

Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)  3

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)  3

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  6

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  4

Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  1

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  10

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis/carolinensis)  1

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  1

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  2000

    Estimate

Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  50

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

Species count:  50

View Don’s eBird checklist at https://ebird.org/checklist/S122052028

Eight members of JAS turned out this morning to see what wildfowl was coming through the Watkins Lake State Park.  This park is in Jackson and Washtenaw counties, the dividing line aligns roughly with Arnold Road. This road bisects the lake, so it's a great viewing platform for the water birds.

(Steve Jerant)

While the weather was a bit dreary, we were greeted by the local Northern Mockingbird that hangs out near the parking lot and road out to the west of the park.  As usual, we had lots of Canada Goose (3,000), Ring-neck Duck (2,000), and Ruddy Duck (150).  In total there were 18 species of waterfowl, gull and waders were observed.  A huge (2000) raft of Canada Goose came over. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYQkLhaS9pw ) 

We noticed a school of fish coming up to the surface of the water to take a gulp of air.

(Lynn Eckerle)

This site has some NATIVE American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)on the roadside.  The berries are in clumps, generally at the terminus of the stem.

(Lynn Eckerle)

(Lynn Eckerle)

At the end of the walk down the road a Bald Eagle was perched and caught the sun perfectly for a naked eye, binocular, and scope view.

(Lynn Eckerle)

See the eBird list at https://ebird.org/checklist/S121702014

Tonight, we had three teams counting at Haehnle and locations north of the sanctuary for the annual USFWS Fall Sandhill Crane Survey.  Haehnle volunteers participate each year to contribute to this nationwide crane count managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.  Data from this survey help wildlife managers make sound decisions about cranes based on population estimates.

Gary Siegrist and Don & Robyn Henise worked Haehnle per the usual Monday schedule. The other two teams of Ron Hoffman & Ross Green and Lathe Claflin &  Steve Jerant worked two portions of a neighboring property north of the Sanctuary.  No counts were done in the Hawkins & Dalton Rds. area as the crane counts these past weeks have been low. 

Gary and the Henise’s reported 1,297 cranes observed, of which 779 remained in the marsh for the evening.  Lathe & I counted 1,755 total with 1714 staying on the property. Ron & Ross counted…0.  This was we thought odd as they were in an area we saw many cranes moving towards from our station, but alas, they did not have any land for the evening.

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

Crane Count: 1,297 (779 Stayed in Mud Lake Marsh)

Species count:  39

View Don’s eBird checklist at https://ebird.org/checklist/S121653630

We had great weather for our biggest count of the season.  The temp was in the 70’s with a light breeze.  A bit more sun to bring out the colors would have made it perfection.  Cranes came in from all directions tonight, and we had about half a dozen flights over the observation area.  In addition to the crane overflights, we had a pair of Mute Swans put on a bit of a show flying over us twice.  The second time reminding us that even though they are called mute, it’s not because their wings are silent.

A single, Big Brown bat came early and stayed late tonight.  It flew back and forth over the grassland to the west of us.  I really think it was seriously checking out our newly installed bat house…

360 cranes were observed with 294 of them staying overnight.  And only about half of those 66 were long distance observations, so fewer cranes are coming in and then leaving.  Conditions are looking very good for high numbers this year.

We’ve released an updated Crane hotspot map, available HERE.

Next week, some of use will be doing the annual USFWS counts around Jackson County so I’ll try to get some of those numbers on next week's report. 

(Steve Jerant)

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

Crane Count: 360 (294 Stayed in Mud Lake Marsh)

Species count:  26

Species       Count

Species	Count
Canada Goose	21
Mute Swan	4
Trumpeter Swan	2
Wood Duck	25
American Wigeon	3
Mallard	40
American Black Duck	15
American Coot	10
Sandhill Crane	360
Killdeer	1
Great Blue Heron	1
Northern Harrier	4
Bald Eagle	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Downy Woodpecker	1
Hairy Woodpecker	1
Blue Jay	10
Tufted Titmouse	1
Carolina Wren	1
European Starling	3
Eastern Bluebird	3
American Robin	50
Cedar Waxwing	30
White-throated Sparrow	1
Red-winged Blackbird	2000
Rusty Blackbird	1

View eBird checklist

On Tuesday JAS restarted tours with the Michigan Nature Association after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The McCulley-Bastian Nature Sanctuary is a property adjacent to the River Raisin near Adrian.  This was named by early French settlers due to the amount of grapes seen on its bank.  But the traditional name for this river is the Nummasepee, the River of Sturgeon.

One of the property owners, Barb McCulley, joined us for our walk. It was a treat not only to meet the previous owner but get some insight into the history of the property.

In addition to lots of Tulip poplar (my favorite tree), mature sycamore, red oak,  and maples, there were some interesting understory plants that were new to some of us.

Moonseed Menispermum canadense
(Steve Jerant)

Palm Sedge MCarex muskingumensis
(Steve Jerant)

Robyn was able to get close enough to this puffball for a game ball photo for us.

(Steve Jerant)

Rachel Maranto led us up and down the high slopes along the river.  We transitioned from a mature riparian forest to a tract transitioning from old agricultural field with trees planted in the 1980's.

(Steve Jerant)

Oh, the birding? Well there was not a lot of activity, but we had a wonderful trip and finished up with some cider and donuts, compliments of our hosts, Barb & Duane!

3 Canada Goose
2 Sandhill Crane
1 Great Blue Heron
4 Turkey Vulture
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
2 Blue Jay
2 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Carolina Wren
2 American Robin
1 Northern Cardinal

Number of Taxa: 13

Trip eBird list 

At 4:37 PM the sun came out.  Then at 4:41 PM, it clouded over and started to drizzle again.  But it was a beautiful moment.  Although it did get very dark, we had some openings, then a rainbow, a little one, but it came down just some hundred yards north of the apple tree below us.  Around 6:30 the sun broke through and lit up the marsh and the trees in the far distance.  Haehnle is really a great place to watch weather.

Ross and I worked the crane count this afternoon till after sundown. We saw 197 cranes with 147 of them staying the evening. We had several direct flyovers but most of the traffic came from the west.  We had some ducks in the close water and Trumpeter & Mute swans in the back water.  A pair of Wilson’s Snip did two flyovers for us. American Robins and of course blackbirds were in great abundance tonight. The robins buzzing over our heads and the blackbirds in the marsh. We even saw a few small murmuration.

Six visitors braved the conditions for a view of the cranes tonight.  The best viewing time for cranes in the last hour before sunset.

Crane counters:  Ross Green & Steve Jerant
Compiler:  Steve Jerant
Submitted by Steve Jerant

Crane Count: 197 (147 Stayed in Mud Lake Marsh)
Species count:  29

Canada Goose 6

Mute Swan 4

Trumpeter Swan 2

Wood Duck 19

Mallard 32

American Black Duck 5

dabbling duck sp. 20

Ring-necked Duck 12

Pied-billed Grebe 1

Sandhill Crane 197

Killdeer 1

Wilson's Snipe 2

Double-crested Cormorant 1

Great Blue Heron 1

Turkey Vulture 2

Northern Harrier 5

Red-bellied Woodpecker 1

Downy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker 1

Blue Jay 6

American Crow 1

Tufted Titmouse 1

European Starling 20

Eastern Bluebird 3

American Robin 250

Cedar Waxwing 27

White-throated Sparrow 2

Red-winged Blackbird 825

Common Grackle 6

blackbird sp. 100

Yellow-rumped Warbler 2

View Ross’s eBird checklist at https://ebird.org/checklist/S120869202

Ross did an abbreviated count last week (09/26) in the rain, all by himself. He had only 3 cranes for his effort.

This week, better weather brought out a full crew to count cranes at Haehnle Sanctuary.  The team counted 45 species.  The 41 Ross tabulated plus American Bittern & Blue-winged Teal seen by Don and 2 Bald Eagles & Turkey Vulture seen by Robyn.

Crane counters:   Don & Robyn Henise, Mike Bowen & Ross Green
Compiler:  Ross Green
Submitted by Steve Jerant

Crane Count: 19
Species count:  45

View Ross’s eBird checklist at https://ebird.org/checklist/S119930208

Four members of JAS made the drive downriver today to take in the raptor migrations happening over the Detroit River from Canada.  The hot raptor today was the Sharp-shinned Hawk.  Our group saw probably 50 of these during our visit at the Erie Park boar launch area.  Volunteers there have their annual counting station setup and are available to identify raptors as they migrate through.  While the Broad-winged Hawks are generally plentiful this time of the year, our group only saw a few.

As we usually do, some of us took a loop walk through the woods and wetland to see if we could observe some other species farther down the food chain.  There were large groups of Wood Ducks and Egrets in the park.  We got a few warblers, as well as other passerines and some more ducks.

In addition to the raptors moving south there were lot and lots and lots and lots of Blue Jays running south.  I put in 500 into my eBird list but the counting team there posted over 10 time as many (http://hawkcount.org/285-2022-09-20).

Our raptor species count was 10 for this trip.

Species List:
65 Canada Goose

127 Wood Duck -- Large group (75) off trail coming out of boat launch area.

4 Blue-winged Teal

40 Mallard

11 Pied-billed Grebe

2 Mourning Dove

1 Common Gallinule

2 Sandhill Crane

8 Killdeer

2 Lesser Yellowlegs

30 Ring-billed Gull

1 Herring Gull

1 Caspian Tern

30 Double-crested Cormorant

9 Great Blue Heron

112 Great Egret -- Majority in wet area nearest entrance.

6 Turkey Vulture

1 Osprey

8 Northern Harrier

22 Sharp-shinned Hawk

1 Cooper's Hawk

2 Broad-winged Hawk

1 Bald Eagle

1 Belted Kingfisher

2 Downy Woodpecker

1 Northern Flicker

7 American Kestrel

5 Peregrine Falcon

1 Merlin

500 Blue Jay -- Many more, did not count

1 Black-capped Chickadee

1 White-breasted Nuthatch

1 Carolina Wren

9 American Robin

3 American Goldfinch

18 Red-winged Blackbird

9 Common Grackle

1 Common Yellowthroat

1 Palm Warbler

9 Yellow-rumped Warbler

2 Nashville Warbler

3 Northern Cardinal

Number of Taxa: 42

My eBird Checklist