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