Several small groups of sandhill cranes were seen late today at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Birchwood (Meigs County). Some of them were preparing to land on the refuge, but the areas they came down couldn't be seen from the viewing area. At least one group of twenty or more ducks was also seen over the refuge. About 6:40 PM at the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park in Meigs County, I saw a small group of sandhill cranes preparing to land on the Rhea County side of Hiwassee Island. Muzzleloader deer hunts are scheduled for the refuge on Friday through Sunday. Charles Murray Birchwood, TN