Highlands Plateau Audubon Society
Dedicated to the enjoyment and protection
of birds and their environment
Founded in 1996
Serving Highlands, Cashiers, Franklin
and Scaly Mountain
in Western North Carolina
Whooping Cranes in Hayesville, NC
December 2011
by Romney Bathurst
Photos by Karen Lawrence - Franklin Bird Club
Michelle Styring and I drove over to Hayesville not knowing if the birds, which had been there already for a couple of days, would still be there. So it was a bit of a “Wild Crane Chase”, but it turned out to be excellent, as you can see. The birds are both banded and each has a tracking antenna on its leg. Presumably, whomever follows them knows where they are, but I would expect them to be gone very soon as the winds have picked up and are out of the NW now, with much colder temps. due tonight. We had fantastic views from a hillside high above the corn stubble field, but then were able to inch closer using the car as a blind. The birds showed no reaction to us, but definitely to dogs barking and gunshots from the surrounding hills. This was a life bird for me, as I was gone the last time they appeared (in Franklin, I think, maybe 4 or 5 yrs. ago?), and I didn’t want to miss them again. We also had a fine view of a Wilson’s Snipe, a large flock of E. Meadowlarks, a young Red-tailed Hawk, and a few odd sparrows. It was a lovely morning!
Be cautions that anyone who goes with the hope of seeing them take care not to disturb them.
As you know, they are an endangered species.
