2019 Sandhill Crane Thread

[Brad]

2019 Sandhill Crane Thread

Less than a month until the cranes start to arrive!

I guess I better hurry up and finish my 2018 photos and video...

[Candleshoe]

Was out in Bosque del Apache, NM a few weeks ago. Got to visit a few birds.

[Brad]

First cranes of 2019 were spotted in Nebraska today!

[Brad]

Crane Trust Crane Count - Week One:
https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... oiNIJn7ZYk

About 12,000 on a mostly frozen river.

[Candleshoe]

Sunday afternoon came across a nice group along Platte River Road south and a little west of Grand Island. Maybe 300-400. A few groups of a couple of dozen flying around the area as well.

[Brad]

Sunday afternoon came across a nice group along Platte River Road south and a little west of Grand Island. Maybe 300-400. A few groups of a couple of dozen flying around the area as well.

Seems strange because it still feels like we are still in the middle of winter here!

[Candleshoe]

Sunday afternoon came across a nice group along Platte River Road south and a little west of Grand Island. Maybe 300-400. A few groups of a couple of dozen flying around the area as well.

Seems strange because it still feels like we are still in the middle of winter here!

Yep, it does, but looking at my Facebook memories, they've been here in good numbers this week in previous years too.

[Brad]

Crane Trust Crane Count - Week One:
https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... eek-2-2019

About 17,400 on a mostly frozen river.

[Brad]

Article about "Bob" the whooping crane in the latest issue of Nebraska Life Magazine. They used 2 of my photo for the article.

You can see a few more photos of "Bob" in day two of my 2018 Sandhill Crane Videos

[Coyote]

Most importantly... Did they ask?

[Brad]

Most importantly... Did they ask?

Yes, Nebraska Life frequently sends me a list of photos they are looking for. This time they were looking for "Bob". I sent them several web resolution photo (Basically the size I post on here). They chose these two and at that point I send them the larger files.

[Coyote]

Most importantly... Did they ask?

Yes, Nebraska Life frequently sends me a list of photos they are looking for. This time they were looking for "Bob". I sent them several web resolution photo (Basically the size I post on here). They chose these two and at that point I send them the larger files.

Nice!

[RockHarbor]

Good job, Brad!! That's exciting!! (I didnt click on this thread until now, as Im not that interested in the cranes that much. I went and saw them w/ a group in 2011, though, and had fun. They are beautiful & different birds. In fact, the sunset pics w/ barren wintry/spring NE trees & the black shapes of the cranes flying against a red sky & yellow sun are one of the most unique images that come out of Nebraska, imo -- almost "exotic" in a way, imo.)

[Brad]

Crane Moves
Sandhill Cranes Arriving Earlier, Shifting East on Platte

http://magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/201 ... ane-moves/

Changes in flows and habitat on the Platte and the availability of food around it during the past century prompted the birds to congregate in a limited number of reaches within the 76 miles of river they now frequent. And according to a new study led by Andrew Caven, director of conservation research at the Crane Trust, the phenomenon is still evolving. Cranes continue to move, leaving behind roosts in the western reaches of the central Platte River Valley for better habitat in the east. The cranes are also arriving earlier and staying longer. With more birds packed into a smaller area, biologists are left to wonder what the future holds.

[Brad]

Sandhill Crane Count Week 4 - 2019

Around 16,500

Interesting comments in the report:
https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... AHiPpS8rrk

[Brad]

Sandhill Crane Count Week 5 - 2019

Around 66,900

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... SDBWS0-2is

[Coyote]

Brad and I were out there this weekend.
Brad's pics are much better

image.jpeg

[Coyote]

image.jpeg

[Brad]

Here are some of mine from last weekend:

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[skinzfan23]

Just drove to Colorado last weekend and what a great sight to see. They are everywhere next to I-80 near Grand Island.

[Brad]

Just drove to Colorado last weekend and what a great sight to see. They are everywhere next to I-80 near Grand Island.

You hit the peak perfectly!

Sandhill Crane Count Week 7 - 2019

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... eek-7-2019

A new Record, around 660,000!

[Louie]

That’s awesome! Glad to see the population rising.

[Coyote]

Here are some of mine from last weekend:

This one turned out awesome!

[Brad]

This one turned out awesome!

Thanks!

[Brad]

Good Morning America did a story on the cranes today:
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/trav ... 4_1KTjHCYM

[Brad]

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge (formerly Squaw Creek) had 14 Sandhill Cranes stop through yesterday on their migration south.

I also have seen reports of Several Whooping Cranes in Nebraska this week.

[Uffda]

i saw some too.

[Brad]

Back in Florida?

[Uffda]

Back in Florida?

I think they hang out all year here.