Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 10/20/2025 By Don Henise

(Steve Jerant)

Sandhill Crane numbers continue to creep upward as we progress through the fall. This evening 191 cranes were counted flying into Mud Lake Marsh to roost for the night. Tonight was the first Monday that we also observed large groups of cranes flying into the property from the north of Haehnle Sanctuary. It appears that Sandhill Cranes from the north are beginning to push into southern Michigan.

An unexpected highlight was a young Golden Eagle seen soaring off to the north of the marsh in mid-afternoon. Four Bald Eagles were also hanging around the sanctuary and occasionally flying around the marsh flushing all the ducks into flight. Turkey Vultures were on the move with a minimum of 63 observed throughout the afternoon and evening.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)(Don Henise)

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker made repeated visits to the trees behind the observation hill kiosk. The 28 American Goldfinches recorded in the eBird checklist was probably a low number as they were all over the prairie eating plant seeds there.

We had bright clear sunny skies, but temps were more seasonal, being a bit cooler than we had been experiencing in previous weeks.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (Setophaga coronata coronata) (Don Henise)

Total Cranes Roosting: 191

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

Compiled by: Don Henise

Complete eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S280568190