Hello all
About a week ago an adult Sandhill Crane flew in after last weekends rains . I
did not learn about the bird until this past Thursday . On that evening my wife
Pat & I went out to the Swoope area at Smith's Pond where the bird had been
seen on private property . We arrived around 7 pm , no bird so we left around
7: 30 & checked out some of the other ponds in the area . We came up empty
handed . After getting home we found out that the bird showed up at 8 pm !
The next night we went to Smith's Pond , got there around 8 pm & sure enough
the bird was there . The Sandhill Crane has that red crown & its main body has
a lot of rust in the feathers due to where ever it came from the water was full
of iron . The BEST time to view this bird is at first light ( 6 am ) or late
evening around or just after 8 pm , other times during the day the Crane has
not been seen -- only the times that I mention above . This bird can be seen on
the ponds short green grassy edges to the left of the main body of water or
some times in an open field to the right of the tree line in front of the pond
. There is a board fence to the left to locate which field the bird hangs out
in .
Directions --- Take I 64 West to I 81 South to exit 220 from there take Rt.
262 West to Rt . 252 ( Middlebrook Rd. ) go South ( left turn ) to Rt. 693 (
Cedar Green Rd. ) follow thru to Rt. 703 left turn go to Rt. 708 ( left turn )
you will see the sign for CAMP SHENANDOAH B S A follow these signs to the Boy
Scout Camp . When you get on Rt . 705 you will come to a Y in the road stay
right on Rt. 705 ( dirt road ) follow till you get to the top of the hill (
white house to your left ) . Go just past this house & look to your right you
will see the pond down below . A good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope is
best . Please stay on the road & watch for on coming cars . Good luck PS the
bird showed up at 8 pm this evening .
Allen Larner
Staunton , Va
pager number -- 540 -- 885 -- 9479
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