We saw a bump from just 5 days ago on our last count. We estimated 326,000 +/- 42,000 Sandhill Cranes roosting on the river or visible in the adjacent fields today from the flight path. We also noted 13,000 Sandhill Cranes in the north channel between Wood River and HWY 34. Our modeling of count data since 2002 suggests that the eastern third of our survey area often peaks in Sandhill Crane abundance more than a week ahead of the western two-thirds of our survey area. We had very large numbers east of Wood River today, and good numbers west of Gibbon in places. However, we still expect to see more birds coming to western bridge segments. Our next flight will take place between March 18th and 22nd pending weather conditions.
*Data property of the Crane Trust: Please contact before redistributing.
