This is the 31st year for the Midwest Annual Crane Count, used to monitor the general population trends of sandhill cranes and to promote awareness of wetland conservation. The count takes place on April 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 in the morning. This is the only day and time for this count.
Hennepin County has not been included since 2002 in this count and we would like to revive our participation. We have over 100 good sandhill crane viewing spots in the county. New birders are welcome to join in this effort. Counters will select one or more sites from the list of 100+ sites (or can nominate a new site) for the two hours of April 22. All sites are one square mile and counters can either stand in one spot or move around to survey it from multiple perspectives. Counters record both the total number of individual cranes seen or heard and also the number of cranes in "unison call", a sign of a pair bond. A short orientation session will be held in April for counters who want training. Information on crane calls is also available at http://www.savingcranes.org/species/sandhill.cfm Please contact me off-list if you are interested. You can also call me at 612-377-3241. Claudia Egelhoff Minneapolis
