This morning - our final crane count for the year - was 5850 birds. Still a lot of birds around, but they are dispersing more widely, going as much to the NE as to the NW. Also, the bulk of the birds moved off the roost in one big thrust at about 7:20, rather than trickling out over 30-45 minutes, as they have previously. It was very windy this morning - may have had something to do with it. Their flight and foraging habits do change quite a bit over the season - that's for sure. It's likely many more birds will be heading south shortly, with weather conditions finally going downhill. Betsy Beneke Sherburne NWR
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