While walking along Mill Race Rd at PWRC y'day am ~ 9 AM, I saw two 
Sandhill Cranes circle the wetland there and continue on toward the 
Whooping Crane pens. While this spot is in AA County, it is strictly 
speaking in the Central, not North, Tract of the refuge and the cranes 
no doubt passed into PG Co.

While several cranes did escape during last winter's heavy snow, which 
broke open some of the cage roofs, all those cranes were soon recaptured 
and accounted for.

Sometimes Sandhill migrants passing by are attracted by the calls of the 
captive Sandhills at PWRC, but there is nothing like a satellite 
population or lingerers a la the Black-cr Night-herons at the Natl Zoo.

-- 
Fred Fallon
Bowie MD