MSCNWR - 3-20-22 - 3-26-22

Sunday we made a Sams run, afterwards we walked the C.L. Dees trail and Crane Lane. On our way out of Camp Crane, we saw Nana and Coco near the feeder.

It was a nice day for a walk and critter watching on this first day of Spring.  The warmer weather has more butterflies fluttering around.

Crip, Tsunami, Thunder, Nana, and Coco were late afternoon visitors until roost time.

Ferny Kat was sitting on ready to come out when we returned from our walk.  She spent the afternoon enjoying her outside time.  We built a campfire then called it a night.  Little did we know, this would be the last day of  Ferny Kat watch.

Sunday Pics:

In August 2005, we were not expecting to bring home a kitten from Fernwood Country Club.  Monday we were not expecting to wake up and find Ferny Kat dead.  A very sad day.  

 

Ferny Pics:

The afternoon, we took Robin on a tour of the North Gautier Unit.  We saw lots of cranes, deer, and other critters.  One unbanded Crane decided to put on a show, dancing for the ladies.  One of those ladies was Banana.  It didn't appear that any of the Gals were interested in his moves.

As we were riding around, we found Coconut hanging with 4 other friends.  As the Crane World turns.

 Monday Pics:

Tuesday we got our walk in.  We found the Pale Pitcher Plants starting to bloom on the Dees Trail.  After our walk, we went back to the trail and updated the plant markers.

We took a ride to check on the Beasley Eaglets.  On our way in, GREG was snacking on a fish.

A Gator was basking in the sun.

We also found a flock of Cedar Waxwing.  We have seen more of these on the refuge this year than ever before.

The Beasley Eagle family was doing well, with the youngsters standing tall in the nest while watching a parent fly away.

We enjoyed the flights of the American Kestrels, it won't be long until they are out of here.

It was quite lonely sitting outside this afternoon without Ferny Kat and the Cranes. 

Tuesday Pics: 

Wednesday, we took a stroll then prepped the VC for the reopening tomorrow.  We had a Bald Eagle fly over Crane Lane during our stroll.

It has been 2 long years since the VC has been opened.  We rolled up the broken shutter and washed the windows.  We dusted, vacuumed, and swept.  We are ready for the opening day tomorrow.

We strolled around the Dees Trail this afternoon, enjoying the flutters and blooms along the way.  We didn't see any cranes today, but did hear one this morning.

Wednesday Pics:

We had a pretty good first day of opening the Visitors Center on Thursday.  It was a soft opening with no hoopla, except for the HQ5 and a buddy flyover as we were heading in to open up.  Show offs!! 

  

Thursday Pics:

Friday and Saturday we manned the Visitor Center.  It was nice to talk with folks about one of our favorite subjects, the refuge.

Saturday morning, we finally got a couple of pics of the Swamp Sparrow that has been feasting at the Camp Crane feeder.

We saw the Crane Gang leaving the backyard when the boss, NV11 made an appearance at the HQ feeder this morning.  He will share his meal with the geese, but not fellow cranes.

Ole Crip came by for his yellow gold after everything settled down.

After we closed on Saturday, we went to check to see if the Beasley Eagles have fledged, they haven't. 

 

We saw Dougie's mate, 1510 foraging all alone in Bright's Pasture.  Hopefully, Dougie is on nest duty.

The Crane Circus was in full swing when we got to the North Gautier Unit.  We had to change our route when we found 7 Cranes blocking Valentine Road. 

 

After the road block cleared, we saw a Bald Eagle hanging around Valentine Pond.

We heard the Crane Commotion around 6 pm and found Quicksand and Thunder in the pen as their cohorts flew to their roost.  They were in panic mode trying to figure out how to go with their buddies.  After about 20 minutes, they came calling and flying right over the camper.  They finally figured it out.

Saturday Pics:

MSCNWR - 3-13-22 - 3-19-22

It was another Sunday Funday.  We were greeted by Nana and Coco hanging out in the HQ savanna this morning.  

We picked up trash in the Ocean Springs Unit.  We also checked on a potential Many-flowered Grass Pink site.  It will definitely be worth checking out in a couple of weeks.

We saw a couple of American Kestrels and a few other birds, but no Sandhill Cranes.  It was a good thing we saw a couple of Cranes at HQ so we were not skunked.  

While sitting by our early afternoon campfire, we heard the Crane commotion going on and found that there was Crane Porn in the savanna.  An unbanded pair were getting it on while the HQ5 all gathered round, cheering them on.  When we first started volunteering at the refuge, we never thought we would see Cranes in this savanna and definitely not, Crane Porn.  My oh my, what a difference a few years make.

Sunday Pics:

Monday was a work day, only the Cranes were not aware.  We watched 8 Sandhill Cranes while we were sitting inside the Visitors Center.  The HQ5 were bullying Coco, Nana, and an Unbanded. They were all over the place.  Needless to say, the Billy Goat stayed in the shed until the Cranes were flushed by visitors.

Nana and Coco stayed in the Savanna while we got our work done.  They were even there after we walked the Dees Trail, and Crip was feasting on that yellow gold.

The Brown-headed Cowbird has returned to Camp Crane.  He and the squirrel were enjoying the view.

Late afternoon, the only Crane that we could find was Crip.  It appears, that he is rehabbing quite well.

Ferny Kat had her outdoor time and her cool drinks of water from the water hose.  We never dreamed a cat would love to play in the water, but again, she is not your ordinary cat.

Monday Pics:

Tuesday, we got the counter stats for the last 2 weeks and a few other chores done around the VC.  The Honeysuckle Azaleas are beginning to bloom at the Fontainebleau Trail.   

 

We took a quick ride to check out the recent prescribed burn at the North Gautier Unit and found the Audubon Cohorts, the White Oak Cohorts, and a few more Cranes, feasting on the roasted grub.

We met Judy and Terry for an early dinner at Woodys.  It has been way too long since we saw each other. 

We helped the Interns with the Dusky Gopher Frog drift fence tonight.  It was a first time experience for all of us.  On our 1 mile walk to the pond, we found an Eastern Mud Turtle.

We were serenaded by numerus different species of frogs as we were setting up the drift fence.  Some of them, were the mighty snoring sound of the DGFS.  We were so excited to hear one of the most endangered amphibians in North America!! 

 

While waiting to run the fence, Madison and Hefan took photos of us with the moon in the background.  They were all laid out in the savanna, trying to get the perfect shot. 

 

On our first run of the fence, the Interns found 2 DGFs and we found 2 Banded Water Snakes.  The shrills the Interns made when they found the DGFs was so invigorating.  (There may have also been a shrill when I saw the snakes, just saying).  The DGFs were weighed, measured, tagged, and then released.  The snakes were relocated away from the fence by Hefan.  It is nice to have a Herp Handler in the bunch.

 

While waiting on the 2 hour interval to run the fence, the Interns decided to get their activity minutes in.  It was quite entertaining to watch them do jumping jacks in the savanna.  

We got back to HQ around midnight.  The Interns continued to run the drift fence until 2 a.m. trapping one more DGF.  We were dragging when we got back to HQ, but got it in high gear when we set off the alarm.  Oops! 

Tuesday Pics: 

It was a slow start to Wednesday.  We finally got out and about around noon.  We helped the Interns place plankton in the DGF Tanks.  We attended the DGF debrief with Scott and the Interns.  Scott said that last night is one of the yearly highlights for the refuge.  How cool is that?

Wednesday Pics:

We took Robin, the refuge administrative assistant, for a tour of the South Gautier Unit.  We spent a lot of time admiring the Eagles.  The Eaglets were chilled out in the nest with one of the parents nearby.

  

We saw a few Sandhill Cranes while we were looking around.  We also saw a Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrels, Eastern Meadowlarks, Little Blue Herons, and GREG..

We spent the afternoon bending pipe for the Bow Net Scott has purchased for catching Cranes. We did pretty good for a couple of amateur rednecks that had never bent pipe before.  We are all skeptical if this contraption will be fast enough to catch a crane.  We will have to wait for the busted remote to be replaced before it can be tried out.

 

Thursday Pics:

It was a Happy Birthday Friday.  We eased into the day waiting for the rain to end.  The rain was out of here and a pretty day by noon.  We heard the calling of Cranes flying in, while a pair of Unbanded Cranes were at the HQ feeder.  It was Nana, Coco, and 2002.  They circled above the VC then flew toward the savanna.  I think they were singing Happy Birthday to Me!!  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

We took a ride to Fontainebleau Trail to place brochures in the kiosk.  We took the shortcut back and watched the Crane Circus.  These guys never disappoint.

We saw a few other cool critters on our drive through as well.

While sitting outside at Camp Crane, we heard the Crane Commotion going on and found the backyard of HQ full of Cranes, the HQ5, 3 Unbanded, (including Crip), Coco, Nana, and 2002.  A 10 Crane sighting in the neighborhood is pretty cool!

The Crane Commotion even caught Ferny Kat's attention.  She was watching from the driveway when I returned. 

Friday Pics:

Saturday was a chill out kind of day.  We got out and about mid morning.  We got a Dees Trail and a Crane Lane walk in soaking in the nature.  

We sat around Camp Crane for most of the day, doing a little bit of bird watching, lizard watching, and Ferny Kat watching. 

The HQ 5 were minus Tsunami today.  They foraged at the feeder then flew toward their roost pond.

Ole Crip, was the only one at the feeder later this evening. He is beginning to be quite a regular here.

Saturday Pics: