This is belated update on Sandhill Crane at Rural Retreat Lake in Wythe County.
Mike Iwanik just telephoned to report the crane was at the "marsh" end of
the lake Saturday morning, April 3. This was directly across from "gray"
building where there was rodeo in progress with lots of noise.
Yesterday, Sunday, April 4, my husband and I drove down, making stop at Tim
and Alyce Quinn's Roanoke home to observe and photograph at least five Red
Crossbill actively feeding at their feeders. Mostly cloudy with brief
periods of sunshine, very breezy, chilly and snow showers.
At Rural Retreat Lake no rodeo in progress. Only thing inside the arena
was a single wild turkey just inside the fence at corner across from marsh
area of of lake. Series of snow squalls produced very high winds and wind
gusts easily in excess of 50mph! Enough in fact that an Osprey flying into
the wind was forced back with arrival of one doozy of a snow squall packing
strong winds and even stronger gusts and stinging horizontal snow. Once
turned and with one heck of a tail wind, the Osprey quickly zipped across
lake. Very difficult to open van door; impossible to set up spotting scope
and camera.
Located the crane on far side of lake in corner near shore line hunkered
down in back of tall reeds.
Also noted was an adult Bald Eagle perched in far corner on low branch
hanging over the lake, short distance from hunkered down crane.
Even with snow squalls and wind gusts strong enough to put down an Osprey,
we had a very enjoyable day. Very scenic, even along I-81, periods of
sunshine, temps ranging from 28 (Blue Ridge Parkway early evening) to 45,
we had winter and early spring all in one day.
Detailed report with link to few photos of crossbills will follow.
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
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