Haehnle Sanctuary Crane Count 09/14/2026 by Don Henise

The Fall 2026 Sandhill Crane Count at Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary started this past Monday, September 14th. In recent years it seems that the cranes have been beginning their staging at Haehnle later in the season. On Monday we observed only 3 cranes landing in the marsh to roost for the night. A handful of other cranes were seen either as flyovers or departures from the marsh during the count time.

(Steve Jerant)

Thirty-one species of birds were observed. We did have a showing from 2 Northern Harriers, a young bird and one adult male coursing over the marsh. At one point 3 Wilson's Snipes circled above Mud Lake. Numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds are beginning to mass in the marsh getting flushed up occasionally as the Harriers cruised by. You can see the complete list in the link below.

eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S393641341

Don Henise