Whooping cranes arriving at St. Marks

[Rhettley]

Pretty cool. Are all those cranes that have never migrated before?

Over the past twelve years I've had a group of sand hill cranes that were wintering around my property in Baker County, GA. The flock had grown to over 300 birds each year and the Audobon guy that did the bird count on my land and surounding areas got terribly excited to see them. Unfortunately that area has been extremely dry the last 4 years and all the natural ponds and wet areas have been dry. There were a few last year around the swamp down the road but this year I haven't seen the first crane. I guess they flew on farther south to find water.

[MudDucker]

I wish I had so little to do that I could just drive down to St Marks to watch the arrival of some birds that we are not permitted to hunt and eat ... oh and I wish I had enough money to afford to do such. Who wants to bet that most of these folks are on the government dole!

[Dubble Trubble]

Now Mud....they could have just been folks like me, tired and re-tired!

On another note, I was walking out in the yard yesterday late, and a huge flock of Sand Hill Cranes flew over. I had thought that was what they were, but went in and googled the sound they make just to be sure.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sand ... ane/sounds

Dubble

[Tidedancer]

Heard a group flying over Carrabelle Beach last night.

[Rhettley]

I've been hearing and seeing the sand hill cranes flying over Baker County for a week now but I still haven't seen any stop yet . I guess until we get some water they will keep flying over. I miss hearing the darn things all day out at the house. Once you get used to it they are great to have around. It makes the place seem a little wilder. But then I love to listen to the fox that lives in the head of woods to the south barking just before dark or the coyotes yipping and howling.

[MudDucker]

Retired after working many years ... super ... watch da birds da manatees even the annual breeding of the squirrels. The rest ... not so much.

Sand Hill cranes are abundant, but we can't hunt them on the eastern flyway due to the whooping cranes. Sand Hill are referred to in Texas as the Ribeye of the Sky!

[BlindHog]

Last year I observed two adult whoopers in South Tallahassee. Reported to USFWS, they are birds that they have been observing in area for several winters. I think in the range of 3-4 yr olds. Amazing sight - were 200 yd away bit appeared to be standing 6 ft tall.