Our first goal of the day was to complete a mile in less than 15 minutes. We walked Crane Lane and made our goal with 28 seconds to spare. Way to go Us!!
We made a nice stroll out in the savanna looking for Chapman Butterworts. The grass was as tall as our heads in spots. We didn't find any Butterworts, but we did find a few skeletons around the pond. This is the same pond we found a Ms. Sandhill Crane remains near last year. We have named this pond, Boneyard Pond.
We ate lunch, then headed to Fountainebleu for a leisurely walk. We saw a few birds and a bunch of cool plants on this gorgeous day.
On the way to Fountainebleu, we slowed down and saw 2 Sandhill Cranes at the nest we found yesterday. On the way back,we slowed down again and saw one of the cranes hunkered down in the water with 2 eggs shining in the sunlight on top of the nest.
We sat outside at camp with the Hathcocks before the evening started to cool off. Another great day at the Refuge. BTW, we got in over 7 miles of hiking today.
Monday Scott found 2 hatchlings with their parents today. This is the earliest hatching of cranes on record at the refuge.
We worked at the VC today. Our 10 am Crane Tour had a group of 9. We had 17 Sandhill Crane sightings. We only saw one of the adult Bald Eagles in a tree. We could only see the top of the heads of both Eaglets in their nest. The wind rocking the tree must have put them asleep. This afternoon, we pulled signs off the Dees Trail getting ready for Spring blooms.
Monday night we went with Biology and the Ms. State group looking for Yellow Rails. Last year when we did this, it was in December and the savanna had been burned earlier in the year. This year, it was hot, the bugs were swarming our head lamps, and the grass was thick and above our waist. We drug the rope with bottles filled with rocks for almost 2 hours in the North Gautier Unit then went to the South Gautier Unit for about 45 minutes. At least when we got to the South Gautier Unit, it had been burned in the last year and was easier to walk. After walking, and/or stumbling, 5 miles around in the savannas, we did not find the first Yellow Rail.
It was almost 11 pm when we got home. I got a shower before Lauren did. Lauren must have smelled pretty bad, cause Ferny Kat tried two different times to sit in his lap. She would lick his leg and come sit with me. It is very unusual for her to sit in my lap.
Tuesday we got to spend the morning banding the Eaglet at the I 10 Crop Unit. The Eaglet was perched on a limb under the nest and both parents were above him. Jared, from Ms State, and the bucket truck operator from Ms. Power went up and retrieved the baby. Both parents flew above and called while the Eaglet was being handled. After being admired for a bit, Lauren got to hold this big boy. Lauren was hoping he didn't bite him, and he didn't. He was very docile. Lauren may need to borrow Ferny Kat's Seresto collar to get the feather mites off of him. Danny has now named Lauren, Big Feather. Needless to say, mites and all, Lauren is one happy Volunteer!!
After we banded the Eagle, we went American Kestrel hunting with Biology and Ms. State. The only one we found was flying away from us in the savanna. It sure would have been cool to see this bird up close and personal.
Wednesday we worked at the VC and had a 9 am Crane Tour for a group of 8 with 21 Ms. Sandhill Crane sightings. We saw the Eaglet standing in his nest looking over the savanna like he owned the place and one of the parents bring in a fish to the Beasley Eaglet. It was a pretty busy day with 61 visitors at the VC.
Late afternoon, we heard the cranes calling. On our way to see which cranes were at the VC, we saw Nemesis scurrying around under the oak trees.
Thursday we hiked the Escatawpa Trail looking for Orange Azaleas. We barely found them before all the blooms were gone.
We also went to the South Gautier Unit to look at the Honeysuckle Azaleas. They were in their prime bloom season.
We went to the North Gautier Unit to check on the beaver dam in Valentine Pond. We were pleasantly surprised to see the 2 chicks with their parents when we entered the North Gautier Unit. We also saw a Red-tailed Hawk flying low over them. Thankfully, he didn't swoop down.
There were at least 20 Sandhill Cranes in the Valentine Savanna. Banana and Coconut were near the road and not the least bit concerned by us.
Friday we did a Wally World run this morning. We walked the Dees Trail this afternoon and placed plant markers on a few new blooms. The Pitcher Plants are having more and more blooms. The afternoon was spent sitting outside bird watching at camp.
Saturday we had a 9 am Crane Tour for a group of 4. We had 21 Ms. Sandhill Crane sightings. It took us 45 minutes to get to the Browns Crop Unit because of all the crane activity. We had an unexpected sighting when we saw a crane nest in the pond near the road.
The South Gautier Unit was busy with Eagle activity. The I 10 crop unit nest had the Eaglet standing tall and proud with both parents nearby. The Beasley Eaglet was standing in the nest when one parent flew in with lunch, while the other parent chased off a Juvenile Eagle.
We had an impromptu tour in the afternoon for a group of 11 from Clemson University Waterfowl Ecology and Management Class. Dr. Rick Kaminski told us his students were the top of their class and our future conservationist. We thoroughly enjoyed spending a few hours with these engaging, nature enthusiasts. We had 15 Ms. Sandhill Crane sightings. The group was excited to see Coconut and Banana about 20 feet from the van. They also enjoyed viewing the Eaglets on the South Gautier Unit. Afterwards, we joined the group for an early dinner at Bozos Too. The perks of being volunteers here are awesome!!!
Pictures:
Eagle Banding:
