Message:

[

Previous   Next

]

By Topic:

[

Previous   Next

]

Subject:

Sandhill Crane-Yes! And, Great Horned Owl

From:

diane Ford

Reply-To:

diane Ford

Date:

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 12:15:38 -0800

Hi all,

  Did all my legal beagle tag duties last night and headed out this morning to see if the Sandhill  Crane was still present. While not used to Montgomery county back roads, I had to turn around a couple of times. As I drove along Club Hollow, I got into the lower wooded area,
and a Great Horned Owl (pretty sure on ID) flew from a tree across the road. Neat! 
Got to Elmer School road sometime aft 11am. or so.
Several folks were present, no sighting yet....then a birder (didn't get his name) waved us further down the road almost to the entrance to the NIH farm. The Sandhill crane was there in a field, where the horses were back closer to the fence.If you face the entrance it was on your left.  It was walking rapidly around feeding in the grass. Got great views with the scope. The security man (Howard) was very gracious, but PLEASE REFRAIN from taking photographs.  I was happy to do field sketches.  
A flock of Canada Geese were calling and the crane started bugling  and took off flying towards Club Hollow Road.  I believe it landed with the geese on the NIH property, but over the hill. When I left, I could just see it's head over the hill off Club hollow road.  
Life bird, county bird, state bird-trifecta.

D.Ford/Bethesda, Md