Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 09/18/2023
by Don Henise

(Steve Jerant)

The first official Monday night crane count of the fall was held this evening at the Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary. As expected this early in the season, few Sandhill Cranes were counted roosting in the sanctuary marsh. We counted a total of 26 cranes with only 8 of them settling down to roost for the night. A total of 44 bird species were observed throughout the evening.

The highlight of the evening was an Olive-sided Flycatcher which worked its way around several of the dead snags below the observation hill on the edge of the marsh. It was showing off it aerobatic abilities as it flew many flycatching sorties - not to outdone by a by-plane which flew overhead entertaining the counters with it’s dives and climbs and rollovers.

(Olive-sided Flycatcher Don Henise)

(Eastern Phoebe Don Henise)

Counters: Ross Green, Steve Jerant, Robyn Henise, Don Henise

Compiler: Don Henise

Total crane count was 8

Species count:  44

View eBird checklist at https://ebird.org/checklist/S150236974