This morning at ~9AM Evan Grant (PWRC biologist) and Adam
Green (Colorado State U. biologist) spotted a flock of 10
Sandhill Cranes passing southward over the Patuxent
Wildlife Research Refuge Visitor Center's entrance road
(the end nearest to the parking lot).  This is on the South Tract
of the refuge, easy accessed via Powder Mill Road (about
midway between Rt. 197 and I-295).  Of course, it's not known where
the cranes were heading to, but it's possible that they could be near
Cash Lake or Lake Redington (or area fields in the Beltsville Ag. area)
at this time.

Included below is a link for the South Tract Area Map:
www.fws.gov/northeast/Patuxent/graphics/ST_trailmap_2008.gif
Good luck and good birding!

P.s. - While searching the area, please pay particular attention to signs
near the intersection of Rt. 197 and Powder Mill Rd. indicating that
entry onto the Central Tract (that area north and east of 197) is 
prohibited.

Cheers,

Dave

---------------------------------------------------------
Dave Ziolkowski Jr.
USGS PWRC, Laurel
dziolkowski at usgs dot gov