WNJ Exclusive: Sandhill cranes back in Somerset
Sandhill cranes photographed in Franklin, New Jersey in January 2009 by "Harrier" on Flickr.
All other photos courtesy of David Wheeler.
by David Wheeler
My modest quest for a birding holy grail continues. It's become an annual winter pilgrimage of sorts.
For three straight winters, sandhill cranes have frequented a handful of farm fields in Somerset, New Jersey. The unending push of sprawl continues all around this region of Somerset County, nestled between a bend in the Raritan River, yet these farm fields have escaped the bulldozer. The sandhill cranes are thankful, with small flocks alighting here each winter while the largest numbers of cranes head south for areas like New Mexico. In New Jersey, only a much larger flock in far more rural Salem County has been more reliable in recent winters.
Of course, that doesn't help some birders, like yours truly. Having missed them on each of my two to three visits per winter, I jumped at the chance again this past weekend after hearing on JerseyBirds that the cranes were back in town.
Sandhill cranes are fascinating birds, their size and behavior making them stand out among American birds. They can stand as tall as five feet tall, with their wings spanning up to seven feet. With its grayish body and red cap, it has a distinguished bearing - that is, until they begin their summer mating dance. Jumping and bouncing like puppets on a string, the mating dance of cranes worldwide is one of nature's most enjoyable spectacles.
Alas, my visit proved fruitless, despite checking every field within a mile. It was plenty worth it, however, admiring a pair of red-tailed hawks perched on a bare tree along the edge of the main field. A turkey vulture arose from the field where it was dining on its most recent scavenge, and soared just overhead along the thermals on this windy, sunny day.
Turkey vulture
With cranes not in the picture, I visited the nearby Delaware & Raritan Canal with my three-year old son for a brisk hike. On such a frigid and windy day, the wildlife was mostly tucked away, but the gorgeous reflections in the canal and scenic breaths of fresh air made it all worthwhile. As for the sandhill cranes, I will find them yet!
- New Jersey Audubon: Sandhill Cranes among latest New Jersey Audubon Sightings
- Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
David Wheeler's book, “Wild New Jersey: Nature Adventures in the Garden State,”will be published in February by Rutgers University Press. He is the founder of WildNewJersey.tv . More information on the book can be found at WildNewJerseyBook.tv.
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 12/3/2010 2:00 PM 
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Birds
Tags: sandhill cranes somerset county raritan river birding Delaware and Raritan Canal
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Birds
Tags: sandhill cranes somerset county raritan river birding Delaware and Raritan Canal
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