2021 Bird Thread (Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Etc)

[Brad]

2021 Bird Thread (Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Etc)

Cranes headed to Kearney — COVID-19 or not

https://kearneyhub.com/news/local/crane ... u9Cu6zQVPI

Brice Krohn, president of the Crane Trust, which is south of Alda, said recent surveys by federal agencies and Nebraska groups estimate that 800,000-1 million sandhill cranes now make an annual mid-migration stop in the area.

^^^ That's the largest number I have seen!

Taddicken said the best case scenario for the 2021 crane season would be reduced capacity in the blinds and fewer tours.

And the worst case?

“Closed completely.”

Lots more information in the article. Worth the read.

[Brad]

Rowe Sanctuary has now pushed reservations back to 2/17 and will not have the photography blinds, only general viewing blinds (At reduced capacity) and the overnight blinds.

Crane Trust has completely canceled the 2021 season but will have virtual tours.

[Brad]

First Sandhill Cranes of the season were spotted near Rowe Sanctuary!

[Brad]

UV lights aim to prevent cranes from flying into power lines

https://kearneyhub.com/news/local/uv-li ... user-share

The technology involves two light boxes on a power pole crossarm, powered by solar panels lower on the pole. The boxes emit UV-A light down the power lines, making them more visible to the cranes.

[Brad]

Currently about 2,750 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte.

Arriving earlier than scheduled, around 2,750 Sandhill Cranes have been roosting on the icy Platte River. Our information suggests that at least some Sandhill Cranes have overwintered in the Central Platte River Valley this year, however, in recent years the bulk of migration seems to be advancing earlier than in the past as well. Whether or not these cranes are overwintering or a new early group of spring migrants, one thing is clear, they didn't get the memo about the cold.

To keep up to date with the crane migration, follow along here: www.cranetrust.org/news-events/the-prairie-pulse.html

[Brad]

Rowe Sanctuary has now pushed reservations back to 2/17 and will not have the photography blinds, only general viewing blinds (At reduced capacity) and the overnight blinds.

General viewing blinds sold out really fast today! Good for Rowe, two bad years in row. They need all they can get right now.

[Coyote]

For the first time this year, I think, I hear a Cardinal chriping this morning.

[GetUrban]

Currently about 2,750 Sandhill Cranes in the Central Platte.

Arriving earlier than scheduled, around 2,750 Sandhill Cranes have been roosting on the icy Platte River. Our information suggests that at least some Sandhill Cranes have overwintered in the Central Platte River Valley this year, however, in recent years the bulk of migration seems to be advancing earlier than in the past as well. Whether or not these cranes are overwintering or a new early group of spring migrants, one thing is clear, they didn't get the memo about the cold.

To keep up to date with the crane migration, follow along here: www.cranetrust.org/news-events/the-prairie-pulse.html

They probably couldn’t wait to get out of Texas!

[Brad]

Sandhill Crane Counts 2021 - Weeks 1 & 2

Crane Trust Count:
https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... -weeks-1-2

2-22-2021 = 4,600+/-
2-15-2021 = 4,300+/-
Lots of good information in the link

[Brad]

Sandhill Crane Counts 2021 - Week 3

Crane Trust Count:
https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 021-week-3

3-1-2021 = 135,800+/-

Article in the link makes it sound like a good week for Migration in to Nebraska. Also mentions other waterfowl in the area.

[Brad]

Wow, Big Jumpp

Sandhill Crane Counts 2021 - Week 4

Crane Trust Count:
https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 021-week-4

3/9/2021 = 459,700+/-

Good read in the link. Says they are approaching peak on the eastern roost, they will still be around for a while.

[Brad]

Sandhill Crane Counts 2021 - Week 6

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 021-week-6

The count was 574,000+/- but if you read the text in the article, the count is likely much higher. They point out that with all the rain, cranes were roosting in flooded fields that are not counted as opposed to the river with high water levels.

On a side note, I just got back from a few days out there and I have never seen so many people viewing cranes. I have been every year since 2009 and this was the most people I have ever seen.

[Brad]

Few from my trip Sandhill Crane Trip last weekend, my 13th Annual Trip, and 15th trip in the past 13 years.

[Brad]

Sandhill Crane Counts 2021 - Week 7

https://cranetrust.org/news-events/the- ... 021-week-7

On their way down. 216,700

[Brad]

Group of rare whooping cranes visits Nebraska wetlands

https://omaha.com/news/state-and-region ... the-latest

Four rare whooping cranes dallied in Nebraska for 11 days this month.

Rare, as in really rare.

The foursome amounted to nearly 1% of the world's population of wild migrating whooping cranes, according to wildlife officials. They are members of the Aransas/Wood Buffalo population and were traveling about 2,500 miles from their wintering grounds on the Texas coast to their nesting area in Canada.

[thenewguy]

I live sort of near the river on the west end of council bluffs. We've had bald eagles fly through the air space above/between our houses, and man are they big

[Brad]

Both Sandhill Cranes and the Endangered Whooping Cranes have been spotted in Nebraska this week on their way south.

[Brad]

Turns out there have been INCREDIBLE numbers of the Endangered Whooping Cranes on the Platte in the past week. This is so great to see!

Platte River Photographer Rick Rasmussen photographed 29
https://www.facebook.com/rick.rasmussen.5

And world renowned Photographer Michael Forsberg photographed 23
https://www.facebook.com/mforsbergphoto

I knew there were more birds in the frame than there were on this planet in the 1940’s, and I nearly buckled at the knees when I realized we might be witnessing the largest gathering of whooping cranes together on the Platte in a century.

At their low, there were only about 2 dozen whooping cranes left in the wild.

Most I have ever captured is 5 in one photo, which I thought was amazing.

[Coyote]

I saw a thread on locals news about whopping/sandhill crane are very nice life time of year.

[Brad]

I saw a thread on locals news about whopping/sandhill crane are very nice life time of year.

They caught some on the crane camera today at Rowe.

[Coyote]

https://www.ketv.com/article/record-num ... a/38203992

[Coyote]

[Coyote]

[Coyote]

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnew ... .image.jpg

[Brad]

Over the weekend I saw quite a few bald eagles in our area.

Lake Manawa had 4, 3 adults/1 juvenile.
Lake Cunningham 1 adult
Desoto Bend, none on the refuge proper, but one flying north of the highway.

[Uffda]

Sandhill crane migration in my driveway yesterday.