About 800 cranes were observed today but only 312 roosted in the marsh.  Most of the 500 that did not spend the night with us came down in adjoining property to the west.  The weather was fair with a good splash of golden light near sunset.  We had some great flyovers with dozens of cranes in several groups simultaneously flying above the overlook. I think the crowd of about 25 visitors enjoyed the show. 

eBird checklist is available at: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49704843

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

Crane Count:  312 (802 observed flying in area)
Species count:  35

Species	Count
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)	200
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)	2
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)	10
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)	3
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)	5
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)	200
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)	29
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)	1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)	7
American Coot (Fulica americana)	4
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)	804
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)	1
Great Egret (Ardea alba)	2
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)	2
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)	1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)	2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)	1
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)	1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)	1
Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis)	1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)	5
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)	1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)	1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)	20
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)	25
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)	2
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)	2
American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)	5
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)	1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)	4
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)	1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)	500
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)	8
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)	1

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

We had an estimated total of 1200 cranes seen. We counted 617 roosting in the marsh. We saw a lot of cranes to the north going down left of the barn. Ron Hoffman and Don Siegrist were counting over there tonight. It will be interesting to hear what numbers they ended up with. Ron did call early on to tell us that they had the Whooping Crane fly out going north from their sight.

We had lots of cranes fly into Haehnle from overhead to the delight of all the visitors. The Northern Shrike made a couple of appearances. The marsh really lit up as the sun went down and we were blessed a gorgeous rainbow.

Don’s eBird checklist is available at:  https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49383486

Crane counters:   Don Henise & Robyn Henise
Compiler:  Don Henise
Submitted by Don Henise

Crane Count:  617 (1200 observed flying in area)
Species count:  36

200       Canada Goose Branta canadensis

60         Wood Duck Aix sponsa

3          Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata

10         Gadwall Mareca strepera

5          American Wigeon Mareca americana

200       Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

12         American Black Duck Anas rubripes

3          Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris

3          American Coot Fulica americana

1200     Sandhill Crane Antigone canadensis

617 roosting in Mud Lake Marsh

7          Great Egret Ardea alba

3          Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius

2          Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

1          Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis

1          Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus

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

1          Northern Shrike Lanius borealis

35         Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata

7          American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos

2          Black-capped Chickadee Poecile atricapillus

3          Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor

1          White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis

7          Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

20         American Robin Turdus migratorius

17         Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

4          House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus

2          Purple Finch Haemorhous purpureus

3          American Goldfinch Spinus tristis

4          American Tree Sparrow Spizelloides arborea

1          White-crowned Sparrow (leucophrys) Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys

4          Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia

1          Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana

2000     Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus

8          Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus

100       Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula

1000     blackbird sp. Icteridae sp.

1          Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

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

11/05/2018 Correction:  12004 seen in area corrected to 1200. 

Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 10/22/2018

We had a very busy crane count this afternoon.  Over 1300 cranes were observed from the overlook with an official 903 roosting in the marsh this evening.  Unlike last week, the traffic was coming in from all points, with the majority from the west.  The weather was mild and sunny and we enjoyed a dash of red at sunset followed by a full moon.

Egrets and great blue heron are still coming in along with all the usual avian visitors including groups of blackbirds and robins. Just before we left, Don and Robyn spotted two American Woodcock.

eBird checklist is available at:  https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49383486

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

Crane Count:  903 (1334 observed flying in area)
Species count:  47

Species	Count
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)	150
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)	2
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)	3
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)	6
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)	3
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)	300
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)	3
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)	25
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)	5
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)	1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)	1
American Coot (Fulica americana)	12
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)	1334
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)	5
American Woodcock (Scolopax minor)	2
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)	2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)	1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)	1
Great Egret (Ardea alba)	2
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)	1
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)	2
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)	1
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)	1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)	1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)	1
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)	1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)	1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)	10
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)	20
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)	2
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)	5
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)	30
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)	6
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)	4
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)	2
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)	1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)	1
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)	2
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)	4
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)	3
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)	3
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)	2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)	500
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)	2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)	2
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)	1

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

We are back in business!  345 cranes will be spending the night in the Mud Lake Marsh this evening.  A total of 451 were observed.  Nearly 300 of them flew in about 6:40 PM in the span of about 2 minutes!  We heard lots of juveniles as they flew by. 

We had an unofficial count of nearly 500 on Saturday evening.

A small group of egrets and a solo great blue heron also settled in for the evening.  Temperatures in the low 40s and a 15 mph wind meant no mosquitoes this week. 

eBird checklist is available at:   https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49222463

Crane counters:   Don Henise, & Steve Jerant
Compiler:  Steve Jerant
Submitted by Steve Jerant

Crane Count:  345, 451 observed flying in area
Species count:  29

Species	Count
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)	50
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)	5
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)	40
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)	2
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)	3
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)	30
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)	5
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)	300
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)	1
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)	30
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)	1
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)	451
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)	3
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)	1
Great Egret (Ardea alba)	7
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)	2
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)	3
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)	1
Accipiter sp. (Accipiter sp.)	1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)	2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)	2
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)	3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)	10
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)	100
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)	20
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)	4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)	6
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)	10
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)	500
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)	2

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

The crane count totaled 36 on this unseasonably warm day.  There are lots of cranes in the Jackson area but we did not see a lot of activity over the marsh or to the north.  As with previous weeks we did have several groups coming into the Sanctuary above the overlook, so visitors did get some close views of the cranes.  Three egrets and one heron were seen as well as a trumpeter swan.  The black birds were active, and we observed several large flocks.  The species count was fairly high, see below.  We closed the evening with a visit from two bats, likely big browns.

eBird checklist is available HERE 

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

Crane Count:  38, 44 observed flying in area
Species count:  46

Species	Count
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)	55
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)	1
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)	15
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)	4
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)	8
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)	5
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)	300
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)	4
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)	4
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)	35
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)	30
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)	1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)	1
American Coot (Fulica americana)	1
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)	44
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)	1
Great Egret (Ardea alba)	3
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)	6
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)	1
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)	2
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)	2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)	1
Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)	1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)	2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)	2
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)	1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)	1
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)	1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)	15
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)	3
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)	1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)	3
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)	5
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)	100
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)	13
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)	11
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)	1
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)	5
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)	2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)	11
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)	14
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)	2000
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)	50
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)	1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)	2

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

Despite increasing fog settling over the marsh, we are happy to report an increase in the crane count from last week.  We observed 145 cranes settling in for the evening.  Most of the traffic came in near the overlook area with several flying directly over us.

Sparrows and warblers as well as egrets and herons were seen tonight.  A flock of chimney swifts came by, but not low enough to help with the mosquitoes that were visiting with us.  We always check the flocks of blackbirds and were rewarded with about 15 rusty blackbirds added to our count.

eBird checklist is available at:   https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48876395

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

Crane Count:  145, 157 observed flying in area
Species count:  37

Species	Count
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)	10
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)	10
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)	3
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)	2
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)	16
American Coot (Fulica americana)	5
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)	157
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)	1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)	2
Great Egret (Ardea alba)	3
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)	1
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)	1
Accipiter sp. (Accipiter sp.)	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)	2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)	1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)	1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)	20
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)	3
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)	3
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)	5
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)	1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)	2
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)	1
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)	2
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus)	1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)	150
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)	75
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)	15
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)	1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)	6
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)	21
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)	2000
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus)	15
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)	20
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)	1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)	1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)	1

You can view past postings and historical crane counting data athttp://www.haehnlesanctuary.org/crane-count

Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 09/24/2018

Our rainy, dreary afternoon was brightened by over a hundred cranes coming into the Sanctuary.  This was our second official count week and the numbers are going in the right direction.   The cranes arrived earlier than usual and flew in fast (but not furious) and seemed more determined to land than they have been in the past year.   We had several flyovers above the overlook which is always a treat.

Great egrets continue to roost as well as a few herons.  Ross found some migrating warblers and we had a big overflight of robins.

eBird checklist is available at:   https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48726998

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

Crane Count:  104, 106 observed flying in area
Species count:  35

Species	Count
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)	6
swan sp. (Cygnus sp.)	1
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)	15
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)	15
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)	2
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)	106
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)	4
Great Egret (Ardea alba)	6
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)	1
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)	1
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)	1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)	1
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)	1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)	2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)	1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)	3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)	5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)	5
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)	4
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)	1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)	3
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)	2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula)	1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)	50
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)	1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)	6
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla)	2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)	5
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)	3
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)	3
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)	3000
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)	1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)	1
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea)	1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)	1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)	1

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

Haehnle Sanctuary began weekly crane counts Monday afternoon.  Ross Green & I observed only 14 cranes passing through and none stayed overnight.  The weather was mild and while it was cloudy most of the time, we did get a treat of some yellow sun splash that turned incoming egrets yellow and gave us a hint of fall colors coming to the marsh.

In addition to the egrets, other highlights included chimney swifts, a barred owl, and an end of day serenade from some field sparrows.  Ross had a good afternoon with 8 warbler and vireo species.

eBird checklist is available at:   https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48432409

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

Crane Count:  0, 14 observed flying in area
Species count:  45

30 Canada Goose

10 Wood Duck

3 Blue-winged Teal

100 Mallard

2 Mourning Dove

2 Common Nighthawk

8 Chimney Swift

2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

14 Sandhill Crane

4 Great Blue Heron

8 Great Egret

1 Turkey Vulture

1 Northern Harrier

1 Great Horned Owl

1 Red-bellied Woodpecker

1 Downy Woodpecker

1 Hairy Woodpecker

2 Northern Flicker

1 Eastern Wood-Pewee

1 Least Flycatcher

1 Red-eyed Vireo

4 Blue Jay

3 American Crow

3 Black-capped Chickadee

2 White-breasted Nuthatch

2 Eastern Bluebird

1 Wood Thrush

150 American Robin

2 Gray Catbird

500 European Starling

36 Cedar Waxwing

55 American Goldfinch

3 Field Sparrow

5 Song Sparrow

1 Eastern Towhee

200 Red-winged Blackbird

5 Common Grackle

1 Blue-winged Warbler -- Confirmed by Ross Green

1 Black-and-white Warbler

1 Common Yellowthroat

1 American Redstart

1 Magnolia Warbler

1 Black-throated Blue Warbler

1 Black-throated Green Warbler

2 Northern Cardinal

Number of Taxa: 45

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

Unfortunately, we will need to cancel our 2018 shorebird Trips to Pt. Moulliee SGA this year. We hope to be able to have a trip again next year.

The Grass Lake Cubscout Pack 4236 Wolves completed the construction and staging of five nest boxes in April.  Jackson Audubon supported this project and provided funding for the purchase of materials.  This project was right in line with our mission “… to instill in the people of Jackson County an interest, knowledge, and appreciation of birds and other wildlife.”

Pack 4236, led by Kimberly Rapert, built the boxes and then staged them at the Grass Lake Warrior Trails and Nature Park.  She reported, “We had a wonderful experience.  First, the boys got to work closely with their parents and learn simple construction.  Second, the boys learned about bluebirds, why they need special protection, and learned where to put such houses.  In addition to our Earth Day trail clean-up and tree planting event, the boys took an active role in positioning the houses, finding east with a compass (to face them), locating water, nesting materials, and close food for the houses, and worked on putting in the poles and predator defense baffles.  Each of the five houses has a boy's initials on it.”

JAS stressed the importance of both proper placement and management of the houses. Too often these projects provide housing for invasive species, such as House Sparrow, and end up conflicting with the intent of promoting native species like Eastern Bluebird and Tree Swallow.  We are confident this will be a successful project.  Rapert said, “I feel confident the boys felt a genuine investment in caring for nature.”