Sandhill Cranes

Yesterday I saw about 200 sandhill cranes flying in circles above my house. Then about an hour later I heard them again, but not seen in the sky. I think they may have landed in the golf course across the street from me. Early in the year, I saw thousands of them, but about 40 miles east of where I'm at. I don't know too much about them, is this normal for them to be migrating through Illinois this time of year?
Thanks!

Yes, this is when they're migrating. Usually you hear them and then try to spot them and they'll be way high up. Sometimes when the sky is blue it's hard to find them and sometimes they just circle around up there for what seems no apparent reason. I love the sound of their calls.
Jimbo

This message was edited Nov 23, 2007 6:53 PM

Thanks Jimbo. This was a real treat for me to see!

I once saw a migration in AZ. There were also snow geese mixed in. Apparently this is common. I'll never forget how amazing it is to see them en masse!

I have to give a plug to visiting the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin. It was great to see, and they have a nice web site. The Whooping cranes are especially interesting.

http://www.savingcranes.org/

Susan in Minneapolis

Nice site Susan; I love the photo w/ the little ones!

Lainimoo - that is awesome! I have as a goal to someday go to the Wisconsin foundation. Thanks for the website, SMKennedy.

I was fortunate enough to go on a birding field trip last Feb. (I think!) to Rockport, TX to see wintering whooping cranes and other wintering waterfowl. We saw several family groups of cranes - and one of them very close up while on a boat. It was a fantastic experience. Can't wait for Wisconsin!

Bookworm28,
Thanks for the mention of Rockport, TX; I am about to retire, and like to collect suggestions for interesting places to see. Is it a reserve of some kind?

Do you folks remember reading about a big storm in Florida, probably last winter, where a large number of the wintering whooping cranes were killed? (I am fuzzy with the facts here, about place and year, etc.) It was a devastating loss, but fortunately all their eggs were not in the same basket.

Susan in Minneapolis

I remember that Susan but like you am fuzzy about the details.

In February of 2007 a storm in Florida killed 17 juvenile whooping cranes. These were young from 2006. They were in a pen and lightening shock and drowning were the determined causes of death.

Oh - so sad about the storm in Florida. I hadn't heard about it. Oh my... good thing we are helping mother nature restore habitats.

SMKennedy - Rockport is a birding haven in the winter. I went with a great birding instructor who has his own tour comany, and we went to a private ranch as well. Rockport is a mecca for winter birdwatchers. You could google it - or dmail me for the instructor's email. I'm going to the Rio Grand valley in December which is closer to Mexico (one of his tours) to see all kinds of wintering birds. I just retired, and this is one of those trips I've dreamed about!

Good for you bookworm!!

Can't wait to hear about it when you return!

I'll be sure to share what we see! Hopefully, I can get some good photos. I'm excited about it.