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Sandhill Cranes heading North!

10 years ago

I just saw them flying North this morning here in Naperville and just under 3 months ago I posted some pictures of them heading South right here on this forum (http://nature.gardenweb.com/discussions/3533347/what-kind-of-cranes)!

What gives? Is this a sign of things to come, a result of global climate change? Or is it more specific to the ongoing El Nino phenom? The NOAA, in its seasonal climate forecast, did say that it will be a warmer-than-average spring and summer in the northern tier states.

Shyamala

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Comments (6)

Pat Z5or6 SEMich
10 years ago
Where is Naperville?
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
10 years ago
Northern Illinois. They are likely following the Fox River northward.

tj
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ggopal
Original Author
10 years ago
Naperville is ~30 miles west (and a bit south) of Chicago - it is located on the DuPage River (which eventually ends up in Mississippi after joining other rivers).

Like the cranes, it seems most of my juncos have left for north too - I only see the odd one around. We are expecting a snowstorm tomorrow and such events usually draw the birds out. So I will see if they have skipped town or are still around. It is a bit unnerving to see such rapid changes.
Pat Z5or6 SEMich
10 years ago
ggopal, I still have several juncos and it was 71 (seventy-one) degrees today. I wish they would never leave. So sweet.

Pat (near Detroit)
ggopal
Original Author
10 years ago
Pat

I know exactly how you feel about Juncos - I always feel sad when they leave but the arrival of House Wrens compensates! In the same way, I feel blue when Fall comes (the landscape looks so desolate) but always cheer up when I see the Juncos. They make everything seem alright with the world!

A few are still around but seeing the warming trend, they might take off soon. They have been putting away millet and peanut butter suet.

Spring is certainly the best part of the year - at 5am yesterday there were hundreds of birds singing in the neighborhood! If only it would last :-)

Shyamala
Pat Z5or6 SEMich
10 years ago
Shyamala, what else do your Juncos eat besides millet? Now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have stopped feeding a mix with millet. It never ends.

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