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LiberalAndProud

(12,799 posts)
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 01:57 PM Jan 2012

Sandhill cranes overwinter on Platte River

[div class="excerpt" style="border: solid 1px #cccccc; border-radius:0.5385em; box-shadow: 3px 3px 3px #cccccc inset, 1px 1px 1px #cccccc;"]A rare and spectacular thing has happened along the Platte River west of Grand Island: People have seen and heard flocks of sandhill cranes in January.

About 1,000 sandhill cranes have overwintered along the river near the National Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary at Gibbon.

The majestic gray birds with red caps should be hundreds of miles south where it's warm at this time of year -- and not in Nebraska.

"I've been there 50 years and I've never seen it," said noted ornithologist and author Paul Johnsgard of Lincoln.

http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/sandhill-cranes-overwinter-on-platte-river/article_8ffa2a2c-f7c3-5f74-81ee-918ee9cca331.html\

Proof that global warming is a hoax*.

[font size=1](Do I *need* a sarcasm tag?)[/font]


(Spectacular pictures at the link.)

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Sandhill cranes overwinter on Platte River (Original Post) LiberalAndProud Jan 2012 OP
We have massive amounts MuseRider Jan 2012 #1
Canada Geese around here too The Genealogist Jan 2012 #6
They were overwintering here in SE Michigan as of a few weeks back. Denninmi Jan 2012 #2
Wow, I was going to post the same thing. louis-t Jan 2012 #4
Grew up in Nebraska and went to see the cranes many times. Interesting that this is happening this Brickbat Jan 2012 #3
it's been really warm here in oklahoma too. got me to thinking okieinpain Jan 2012 #5
OMG okie, we are really worried. MuseRider Jan 2012 #9
Wow. The birds know. nt bemildred Jan 2012 #7
There is right wing sociopath who lives near there. I wonder what he thinks. Stinky The Clown Jan 2012 #8

MuseRider

(34,057 posts)
1. We have massive amounts
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 02:02 PM
Jan 2012

of Canada Geese here in NE Kansas. While we always have some I can say that I never once saw a large flock headed south before the winter and still have not seen one. As I look out my window my 5 acre pond is full of them, never has been frozen solid this winter, and my pastures are full of them. I have ducks now that I usually only see during migration as they stop here on their way to other locations. I am not at all surprised to read this. It is very sad.

The Genealogist

(4,723 posts)
6. Canada Geese around here too
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 02:32 PM
Jan 2012

in SW Missouri. It is like they never left. Usually they have flown off to winter in more southerly climes. I think some may stay, but there are two "lakes" near me (they call them lakes, but they are more like oversized ponds that form part of the landscaping in a subdivision) that have a LOT of ducks and geese, and especially Canada Geese. When I lived in Tallahassee, I saw them in winter. But not here in SW Missouri.

Denninmi

(6,581 posts)
2. They were overwintering here in SE Michigan as of a few weeks back.
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 02:06 PM
Jan 2012

Saw them after New Years in a field near the Clinton River in Waterford, Oakland Co.

I think all kinds of migratory birds have stayed north of their normal wintering range due to the mild weather.

louis-t

(23,199 posts)
4. Wow, I was going to post the same thing.
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 02:17 PM
Jan 2012

Unusually mild in MI (until today, brrrr). Heard geese in Dec. Very unusual.

Brickbat

(19,339 posts)
3. Grew up in Nebraska and went to see the cranes many times. Interesting that this is happening this
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 02:07 PM
Jan 2012

year. What will be interesting is whether it happens again next year, and years after that.

okieinpain

(9,397 posts)
5. it's been really warm here in oklahoma too. got me to thinking
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 02:21 PM
Jan 2012

what is summer going to be like. those cranes might want to go south in the summer to find somewhere cooler. lol.

MuseRider

(34,057 posts)
9. OMG okie, we are really worried.
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 07:58 PM
Jan 2012

I know that it does not necessarily mean this summer will hold with higher than normal temps but if it does it will make last years month + of 100 degrees or greater seem like nothing. No moisture here either. They say we are not directly in a drought here where I am located but my pond is down between about 4 feet from last year, not frozen to hold in any kind of moisture and no snow. .2 inches so far, not once below 0 degrees. It is creepy.

Stinky The Clown

(67,669 posts)
8. There is right wing sociopath who lives near there. I wonder what he thinks.
Fri Jan 20, 2012, 02:37 PM
Jan 2012

Up there near the roof of Nebraska, all alone in his life devoid of human contact, hopefully he gets to enjoy seeing these birds as the river flows by his back yard.

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