Today I covered Sector 2 of The Plains CBC with Craig Tufts, Wayne Schmidt,
Laura Giese, Taylor Sprenkle and John Critchfield. At the North Fork Wetlands
Mitigation Bank in Prince William County, while Wayne and I were setting up
scopes, Craig Tufts spotted two SANDHILL CRANES resting on the ice among
approximately 400 Canada Geese. We first saw the cranes at approximately 07:45
and observed them until approximately 08:20, when we last saw them flying to
the south-southwest over I-66. The cranes were flying relatively low, and we
soon lost them as the disappeared behind the trees. My guess is that they flew
to a nearby field to forage for the day.
At 16:30 a number of others and myself gathered at the small pulloff on
Thoroughfare Road on the west side of the wetland bank in hopes that the cranes
would return to the wetlands to roost for the night. By the time we left at
approximately 17:00 the cranes had not returned. The majority of the Canada
Geese that were on the frozen pond at dawn had also not returned by that ime,
and it's possible that the cranes and geese returned to roost sometime after we
left.
Anyone wishing to search for the cranes may do so from Thoroughfare Road on
the west side of the wetland bank. From the intersection of Routes 15 and 55
in Haymarket, travel west on Rte. 55 and turn right (north) onto Thoroughfare
Road. In less than 1 mile there will be a small pull-out next to a sign for
the North Fork Wetland Mitigation Bank. This pull-out provides a good vantage
point for scanning the entire pond and much of the created wetlands. The best
times for searching for the cranes would likely be soon after dawn and shortly
before dusk. I plan to check for the cranes later in the week and will post
any observations on this listserve.
Please note that the wetland bank is private property, owned by the Boy
Scouts of America. Please do not cross the fence and enter the property
without permission from the boy scouts.
At approximately 10:30, we also observed one CACKLING GOOSE on the frozen
pond at the North Fork Wetlands Mitigation Bank. At this time, omly about 50
Canada Geese remained on the pond, and the Cackling Goose was easily spotted
among them. The Cackling goose was between 1/2 and 2/3 the size of the Canada
Geese, but noticeably larger than the mallards that also rested on the ice.
Overall the coloration of the Cackling goose was similar, but slightly
duskier/grayer than the Canada geese. Craig Tufts noted that the white
uppertail coverts appeard longer in the Cackling goose than the Canadas, giving
the Cackling Goose a slightly more short-tailed look. The bill was small,
stubby and triangular in contrast to the much more elongated looking bills of
the other Canada geese. The Cackling Goose had an injured left leg - when
standing still, it often held its leg off the ice (not putting much weight on
the leg), and it walked with a noticeable limp.
Overall a great day! Our group finished the day with 65 species. I'm sure
Todd Day will post the other count highlights in another email.
Happy Holidays.
Craig Tumer
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