After seeing many thousands of Sandhill Cranes flying north on February 17while
I was at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge viewing area at Birchwood in Meigs
County, I was surprised this afternoon to see more than 350 Sandhill Cranes on
Hiwassee Island and nearby sandbars. I had thought that I would not see any
more high numbers for the rest of this season. The cranes seen today were
observed from the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park also at Birchwood in Meigs
County. Several first-of-the-year Tree Swallows were feeding over a pond which
is beside Blythe Ferry Road between Priddy Road and the CRMP in Meigs County.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
