Hi all, For anyone checking out the impressive Sandhill Crane flock at Montezuma NWR this winter, keep an eye out for an apparent LESSER SANDHILL CRANE (A. c. canadensis) that I found yesterday, the more northern-breeding subspecies that is quite rare in the area. It was in the flock off Olmstead Road north of Armitage that was forming in the morning as small groups flew in from East Road where they had been roosting. It was markedly smaller and shorter-billed than the Greater Sandhills around it, and it also stood out by its (presumably not diagnostic for subspecies) mottled dark red plumage. Distant photos here: https://ebird.org/atlasny/checklist/S98986464
Jay -- Jay McGowan jw...@cornell.edu -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
