Wetland Report: Sandhill Cranes Return to the Great Central Valley!

Reports of Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) in the Great Central Valley have been trickling in for the last couple of weeks.  The migrants usually start turning up in our fields and wetlands around mid-September, after the journey from their summer breeding grounds in the far north.  I've been looking forward to the arrival of the cranes, and was able to take a quick trip out to see them yesterday.

Sandhill Cranes at Merced NWR

As of this week (the week of September 25th) nearly 1,000 Sandhill Cranes have returned to one of my favorite wetlands in the valley, Merced National Wildlife Refuge.  By Thanksgiving, somewhere around 20,000 cranes will have settled in for the winter at this one location alone!  The air is already filled with their unique croaking call, and their elegant dancing forms bring the wetlands back to life once again.

Greater White-fronted Geese at Merced NWR

In addition to the cranes, an unseasonably large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese has arrived at the refuge.  They are a little early; these birds don't typically show up in large numbers until closer to November.  Northern Shovelers and American Coots have taken up residence on wetland ponds, while Black-necked Stilts and Greater Yellowlegs wade in the shallows.  Resident White-faced Ibis are abundant, as are Red-winged Blackbirds and our trusty plovers, the Killdeer.  Also present is a large flock of American White Pelicans.


Most of the wetlands are flooded now, or at least partially so, and new birds will be arriving at a constant rate through the fall.  Waterfowl numbers peak during the winter with the arrival of myriad duck species, Tundra Swans, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese. 


For now, the heat of summer is lingering a little longer, and at first glance it seems that a dry desolation still hangs over the wetlands and surrounding uplands.  But there is life here!  Several species of butterflies flit about the upland vegetation - I counted whites and blues, skippers and Monarchs just at a glance - and dragonflies and damselflies buzz over the wetlands.  Yes, there is abundant life here in the valley!

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