[TN-Bird] Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, and More at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge

From: Charles Murray <dro_1945@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:56:36 -0800 (PST)

Large numbers of sandhill cranes, likely in the thousands, continued to be in
view at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County at Birchwood today. They
can be seen from the viewing areas at both the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park
and the nearby gazebo at HWR. The best times at the CRMP are early morning and
late in the day as the cranes return to roost around Hiwassee Island.
Directions to HWR can be found at TWRA's Watchable Wildlife site for HWR at:

http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/watchareadetails.cfm?uid=09071608273977728&region=Hiwassee_Refuge&statearea=East_Tennessee

In addition to many sandhill cranes, this morning at the CRMP I saw at least 10
immature bald eagles and one adult. At one point an immature bald eagle landed
on a mud bar near a few dozen sandhills. Several of the sandhills slowly formed
an almost complete circle around "the enemy". However, no lives were lost in
this stand-off! Later in the morning, I joined Melinda Welton at the HWR
viewing area. In addition to numerous sandhill cranes, we saw one whooping
crane, a tundra swan, around 8 snow geese (some blue phase), and quite a few
ducks. About half a dozen canvasbacks were among ring-necked ducks and hooded
mergansers. There were 5 great egrets at the HWR slough yesterday.

Thanks to TWRA Hiwassee Refuge Manager, Jason, and to Jeff for repairing the
potholes in the road into the refuge yesterday!

If you visit the refuge, please sign the TOS visitors list. The CRMP also has a
visitors list that you may sign when the building is open Thursdays - Sundays.

MANY HUNDREDS of sandhill cranes were forming kettles and flying
south over my home in Birchwood (NE Hamilton County) this afternoon from
about 1 to 1:30 PM. I suspect that most or all of them were coming from the
Hiwassee Refuge area of Meigs County.

Charles MurrayBirchwood, TN

[TN-Bird] Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, and More at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge

Other related posts: