Counting Crane

This past Wednesday, me and Mark had the pleasure of going to Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge and helping out with a Sandhill Crane Count. This was very interesting for me, with it being my first point count survey.

A point count survey is commonly used when estimating bird populations. During this type of survey, the participant will usually stay in one spot and count birds that they can see within a fixed radius in a certain amount of time.

Two Sandhill Cranes flying above the trees on a cold morning at Muscatatuck NWR.

Six Sandhill Cranes flying at Muscatatuck NWR.

We all split up into three areas and begin to count. We all had the pleasure of sitting in warm trucks during the early morning. In my section I counted over 1,800 cranes in the span of about 90 minutes. We did this right at dawn getting to the refuge at about 7:15 am. At this time the cranes are moving around the refuge, and it is a good time to get an idea of how many cranes are in the area. I also counted some Canadian Geese at the point that I was at.

The migratory behavior of Sandhill Cranes is something that is studied due to the large numbers of populations that move over North America. In the spring and summer, they fly north to their nesting habitat. When temperatures drop, they start to fly south around the fall to retreat to warmer habitat.

Large group of Sandhill Cranes in a marsh wetland.

Not only is this a spectacle to observe but it is amazing the distance that these birds travel. They have the ability to adapt to many different climates and ecosystems that are along their journey.

-Sierra