There are still several thousand sandhill cranes in the area. I think they're here late this year, because local corn fields were harvested much later than usual, so there's still something for them to eat, plus, we've had temperate weather too. They seem to be concentrated in the fields on the north side of CR 3, NW of the refuge, and NE of Santiago.
A golden eagle was in the area of CR 5 and the St. Francis River bridge about 9:00 this morning. It's an immature bird; looked just like the one I saw along CR 16 a couple of weeks ago. Certainly could be the same bird. Was interesting to also see a bald eagle flying over the intersection of CR's 3 and 5. It was carrying a large stick and headed in the general direction of St. Francis Pool, where there are a couple of eagle nests. Already repairing for next spring! Betsy Beneke Visitor Services Manager Sherburne, Crane Meadows, Rice Lake NWRs ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
