Having heard the cranes returned just after we left yesterday, Jon and I decided to do one more chase. We arrived at Bens Point about 7:15 this evening. (Monday June 21) We covered the ground, repeatedly and slowly, until near dark (about 9:10 PM). We found no cranes at all.
As a consolation prize, we heard several King Rails calling at the end of Bens Point about 7:30 PM (GREAT sounds and life bird for me). Then, as we were leaving, we got a great look at a family of Horned Lark feeding and running in the road in front of us near the entry of The Preserve. We stopped to watch the Mom feeding the babies - very cute! Dad apparently started feeding on bugs brought in by the headlights - he swooped at us then around in the headlights, looking like he was catching food.
The area of the road in the trees was also filled this evening with lots of mother birds feeding chicks - cardinal, chipping sparrow and indigo bunting.
It's a nice place - cranes or not. But it would be nicer if the cranes would show on command.
Joanne
Joanne Howl, DVM
small animal medicine, writer, Mom
West River, MD
-----Original Message-----
From:
To:
Sent: Mon, Jun 21, 2010 4:47 pm
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] SANDHILL CRANES in Queen Annes County
Jon Ranson and I were on Bens Point Road looking very carefully for Sandhill Cranes twice yesterday (Saturday 20th June). Once from about 10:30 - 11:30 AM and once again about 4:00-4:30 PM. We were given permission to scour The Preserve land as well as view from roadside. We looked long and hard - but did not see these birds. Apparently they must either move around a lot, or are adept at standing still and acting like corn stalks to avoid detection.
Oh - if you have not yet witnessed two dedicated, if slightly discouraged adults standing next to a dusty car, sweating in the Maryland summer solstice heat and humidity, hopefully and gently calling "here crane-y, crane-y, crane-y", then you really haven't birded yet.
Joanne
Joanne Howl, DVM
small animal medicine, writer, Mom
West River, MD
-----Original Message-----
From: danny poet <>
To:
Sent: Mon, Jun 21, 2010 4:35 pm
Subject: [MDOSPREY] SANDHILL CRANES in Queen Annes County
On Fri afternoon I received a second hand report by email of a sighting
f 2 Sandhill Cranes near Church Hill . I made a trip up to the reported
ocation arriving by just before 6:30 PM and finding no Cranes thinking they
ust have moved on . On Saturday 6 - 19 - 10 Morning I received a phone
all from Bill Hubick a western shore birder asking if I had heard about the
ranes and reported someone had just seen them that morning again . He was
ust minutes from getting there and I headed out again to the location .
hen nearing Church Hill he called me back again saying he had not located
hem and was moving on . I went to the site and did not see them either . I
eciced to bird some near by sites . At about noon I went back to the reported
rane Site and then saw two Sandhill Cranes standing at the edge of the road
nder some trees for shade . I was able to get close enough to get some ok
hotos without disturbing the birds to much . They were content untill 10 Min.
atter when a mail truck come screaming down the road passing me flushing
he birds into the corn field across the road they ran out of sight down a
ill . I had just called Bill back to let hm know they had reappeared so
alled back again to let him know what had happened . A 6:30 Pm check
esterday eveing Sunday 6 - 20 found the two Sandhill Cranes feeding in the
orn field close to the road . If you try be ready to try several times .
Location north edge of Church Hill on Ben's Point road all the way to the
nd near a yellow house and a brick house located across the field next to a
ove of Southeast Creek . When viewed the cranes are in the Corn field near
he yellow House and the lane to the Brick House . Bens Point road is just
ff Rt 213 . the road is very narrow so please do not block it pull off of the
oad as far as possible and there is no need to park in front of the yellow
ouse
ood Luck to those that search
Danny Poet
ueenstown , Maryland
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