sandhill crane migration

yesterday hundreds of sandhill cranes flew into a field behind my house. most stayed the night and there are still several hundred as I type this. I've always watched them flyover heading north but never seen a group stop and take rest this close. I was thinking they are a little early but maybe they know something I don't. nature is awesome!

We have families of them that nest here year around. I hate those things. They are protected here and they seem to know it.

"the following states allow sandhill crane hunting: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming."

My hunting friend calls them "Flying Ribeyes"

I have heard the "flying Ribeyes" as well. However in FloriDUH they are protected. Don't even hit one with your car when they walk right out in front of you, without stopping and reporting it.

They peck at the cars and trucks ruining the paint and trim, windows and various other things. They tear up the yard and are loud and obnoxious. I'll be glad to be rid of them when I move.

yesterday at my brother's work …… just a few dusky geese

They are all HEADED NORTH to a West Virginny MOUNTAIN TOP

Ribeyes ...... yummmm ...

There is a nature area about 30 miles from my farm that is reclaimed back to wetland after being drained for farming in the late 1800's. It is bringing in all sorts of flying species.

I hear them them calling, and am astounded at how high they can be, yet they can still be heard. We don't have them in flocks of hundreds, when I see them. It is awesome to see them up against the blue sky.

What's your location Lew?

They've been hanging around my area/MI quite a bit, but flew the coop when it got cold.

I admit I never looked up their migration, just assumed it was too cold for them and they would be back
screamin' and eating bird food before too long.

My waterfowl hunting buddies call them "ribeyes in the sky".

these are headed to the jasper/Pulaski reserve in northern Indiana. maybe to Canada after that. first time I've witnessed a mass migration on the ground. seen a lot of fly overs. really enjoyed watching them do their "dance". we've had winter resident eagles here for a few years. some bone-head shot one about a week ago.

i'm in whiteland Indiana. their fly way comes over our area. still a little semi rural here. I think they are one of the biggest migrations in north America.

That's cool, thanks. I will tell the wife they're coming our way, she thinks it's fun having them around.

(She hasn't heard of any instances of them eating small pets yet)

Mmmm... I'd sure like a taste of them "flyin' ribeyes"...

eating small pets is a new one on me. what I seen was foraging for worms and creatures in shallow water, maybe dropped grain in the fields. almost all of them are gone now. should be up by you shortly; weather permitting.

there have been flights of robins then house wrens and now crows---they must feel spring is close------my dog seems to be in lust for a fox that is in heat----and that seems early too......

I watched one eat a baby duck one day. I was really shocked.