Sandhill Cranes

[byrons]

There is still a fairly large group of Sandhill Cranes (about 60 birds) hanging around Bannister Lake.  I also saw a few coots, white-breasted nuthatches and a brown creeper.  Waterfowl numbers are down from two weeks ago, when there was quite a good flock of Hooded Mergansers.


Sandhill Cranes by ByronSheldrick, on Flickr


sandhill cranes by ByronSheldrick, on Flickr


Brown Creeper by ByronSheldrick, on Flickr

[lovemypt]

wow..good numbers still around. I haven't been out that way..as owl fever was driving me east end  this weekend. Any idea how long these cranes usually stay around this place??

[byrons]

I've been expecting them to be gone everytime I drive by (which is about once every other week), but so far the numbers remain strong.  I'm hoping they'll be here for a couple more weeks at least.  Someone else might have a better idea.

[lovemypt]

I've been expecting them to be gone everytime I drive by (which is about once every other week), but so far the numbers remain strong.  I'm hoping they'll be here for a couple more weeks at least.  Someone else might have a better idea.

The Sandhill Cranes are still at Bannister Lake near Cambridge but not sure how much longer as conditions there are changing fast...as per today shots. There were at least 40 that I could count but several sections of the lake had ice starting to cover the bays.  A new bird species for me..thought my chances to find these this year was over

Thanks "byrons" for update on PM last night

[MEGHAN]

Nice Dave!
You still have lots of time for the Cranes.
You will be able to find groups of over 800 well into late December just within an hour or so of the city. They are well fed in the grain fields So you get huge numbers of them into the winter before they move on.

[lovemypt]

Thanks Meghan... you will have to sign me up for one of your " Meghan's fall bird tours", these guys were far away, would like to be able to get a bit closer..

[byrons]

Nice shots ... It's hard to get close to them at Bannister Lake.  I'll be heading down there again this weekend.  

Byron

[byrons]

For those interested in the Sandhill Cranes at Bannister Lake they were still there last Sunday (December 2nd).  The conditions were terrible, with lots of fog and mist over the water, but there are still upwards of 50 birds on the lake.  

Byron