Even though the Wildlife Drive closed on Tuesday, December 1, visitors can still see great birds around the Refuge. Sandhill cranes have been frequenting the Visitors’ Center Pool lately. On Tuesday during our survey there were 6 and Wednesday when we were finished surveying, there were about 60 in the VC Pool!
If you are able, be sure to check out both the upper and lower decks at the Visitors’ Center. From the upper deck you have great views of the VC Pool and the back part of the Main Pool. Wednesday afternoon from the upper deck I was able to see hundreds of swans, geese and ducks that were out in the Main Pool. Last week I saw a great black-backed gull in the VC Pool as I was posting the bird list. I hadn’t seen one in a very long time so I took the time to take a picture.
Sandhill cranes have also been hanging out at the Sandhill Crane Unit, viewed from Van Dyne Spoor Road and Knox-Marsellus and Puddler Marshes, viewed from the East Road overlook. A couple of birders counted just over 200 cranes at Knox-Marsellus on Thursday, December 3.
I have included a few pictures. Some are distance shots that will reveal more if you are able to click on them and zoom in some.
This is our last survey for 2020. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can start up again in mid-March! I hope you enjoy winter and the holidays. Please stay healthy and safe.
Jackie, I really enjoyed your reports this year. Hope you do it again in 2021;
I saw a Peregrine on Rt 31 just south of the Crane Unit. Then caught sight of a RoughLegged on the Van Dyne Spoor. Thousands of Mallards, Blacks and Pintails were nicely settling in at the southeast corner of the Crane Unit. Then on the way home ran across a flock of Snow Buntings in the cut corn across from Marcellus Knox. Great day all around.
Thank you , Jackie, for your comments and counts!! We look forward to your return in the spring.
Silly question? You saw 3498 redheads… When I watch my birds at the feeders, I see 30 little brown jobs flying in and out soQuickly that I have no idea how many actual birds there are as opposed to “sightings”. Got any tips for estimating bird counts? (I am reminded of an old cowboy joke where a cowboy tells his sidekick that to get an actual count of his heard, he counts the legs and divide by four…)