FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Crane weekend Hiwassee Refuge

[JimmWilkerson@xxxxxx]

Meigs Co., TN.
Hiwassee Refuge
Saturday and Sunday Feb. 4th. and 5th. were the dates for the annual Cherokee 
Indian Heritage and Sandhill Crane Viewing Days at nearby Birchwood School 
(Hamilton Co.) and at the Hiwassee Refuge.  As always there were great 
programs, 
booth exhibits and food at the school and thousands of Sandhill Cranes at the 
refuge.

An old dilapidated wooden structure at the refuge was torn down and replaced 
a couple years ago by a modern heated building suitable for TWRA to set up 
displays with information and Wildlife exhibits for animals seen on the refuge 
and throughout Tennessee.  Each year the refuge staff seems to have something 
different to make the event more favorable.  This year we were surprised by the 
completion of indoor rest room facilities!  

I heard there were around seven thousand visitors for the programs at the 
school.  This is a stupendous number if you are familiar with the limited area 
at 
and around the school.  I think we probably had around two thousand people 
who rode out on the shuttle busses Saturday and probably as many more who came 
in their own vehicles  during both days.

On the refuge proper we estimated around 2500 plus Sandhill Cranes.  In the 
surrounding area there was an additional like amount on roadsides, fields and 
small farm ponds.  It seems every year that the cranes would be the highlight 
and in some respects they are given due gratification, but as always, an eagle 
will steal the show.  This week end was no exception.  We had several Bald 
Eagles make their appearances.  Many people are not aware of the differences 
between immature and adults.  This is an area where we, the TOS volunteers, 
come 
into the mix of things.  The white heads and tails of the adults are the show 
stoppers but the immature are also awe inspiring once a visitor is educated on 
what they are seeing.  

ALSO, this year we were treated with sightings of three other very beautiful, 
very lovely WHOOPING CRANES.  Not necessarily in order of appearance was 
Whooper number 107. She is an exquisite adult who first came to Hiwassee in 
2001 
during the first year of ultra light migration that took her and several other 
flock mates to winter in Florida.  You can visit www.operationmigration.org/ 
for their story.  Also seen were two other DAR's (direct autumn release) 
Whooper's number 527 and 528.  These birds are in immature plumage and any way 
you 
look at them they are absolutely stunning with their bold white bodies with 
cinnamon necks and heads and butterscotch swirled backs and upper wings.  Both 
of 
these girls also sport black wing tips when flying.  There are a total of 
four DAR's, three females and one adult.  The four are experimental released 
birds who are migrating in the company of other flocks of Sandhill Cranes.  I 
think I read that two of the DAR's have made it to Florida but, our two have 
been 
at Hiwassee since November.

It's still not to late to see the cranes on the refuge!!!  If you go, please 
stay in the area of the gazebo and behind the fence!  You will see Sandhill's 
until the first of March.  The Whooper's are another story.  There are only 
three and are seen very infrequently.  Today one was seen briefly at 8 AM and 
then the two DAR's were not seen until 3:15 but, were visible most of the time 
until 5 O'clock.

Saturday TOS volunteers at the refuge were:  Roi and Debbie Shannon, Danny 
Gaddy, Doug Geren, David Spicer, Chris Mahoney and Cynthia and Jimmy Wilkerson. 
 
Sunday volunteers were Roi and Debie Shannon, Doug Geren, Cynthia and Jimmy 
Wilkerson and another wise old bird: Ken Dubke.  Ken was at the school all day 
Saturday but joined us with his TOS booth at the refuge on Sunday.

Special Thanks to TWRA employees Wally Akin, Hiwassee Refuge Manager and 
Bernie Sweenie, Yucchi Refuge Manager.

If you don't already have the directions from other postings just send me a 
e-mail.

Jimmy Wilkerson
Hixson/Chattanooga, TN.
Hamilton Co.


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