A few words about the refuge

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975, shortly after the enactment of the Endangered Species Act in 1973.  That’s when the restoration of this globally-rare habitat and an endangered species began.  The subspecies of Mississippi Sandhill Cranes had declined to only 30-35 birds left in the world.  Unlike other sandhill cranes found in the northern states in summer, this is a non-migratory species.  Because of the demolition of the wet pine savannah, these cranes were on the brink of extinction.  After more than 35 years of savannah management, their numbers are up to around 110.

I tagged along on the refuge run public tour this morning, as I may have to run one of these tours later this month.  We were able to spot two cranes, but they turned out to be the larger Greater sandhill cranes that come down to winter in the area from northern states.  We knew they weren’t Mississippi cranes because they were larger, and didn’t have multiple bands on their legs.  All but two of the Mississippi’s have been banded with colorful rings on their legs so individuals can be studied. 

 

Most of our touring occurred on non-refuge lands.  The protected refuge lands are mainly nesting areas, and it will be next month before nesting activity begins.  The cranes don’t use the nesting areas much during the winter so that predators don’t get used to them being around.

We did visit one of the holding pens on the refuge.  Mississippi Sandhill Cranes generally lay two eggs per year, and refuge staff collects one egg out of each nest to raise at two different facilities.  In the wild, only one baby (called colts) would survive, so raising one in the laboratory increases the amount of hatchlings.  Eventually, these young are brought to holding pens on the refuge where adult cranes can fly in and help teach them how to live in the wild.  The fences are there to keep out predators, and to enable refuge staff to monitor the young birds.

Interns, staff, and sometimes volunteers spend hours on end in this blind documenting every move of the youngsters in the pen.  Eventually, all the birds are returned to the wild on the refuge.  It is a long slow process to help out this species.  To give you some idea, I’ll tell you that last year was a good year for the wild pairs, but only four young were fledged.  That’s why the captive rearing of eggs is necessary. 

 

I did spot this nice pair of hooded mergansers as we made our way around the surrounding neighborhoods.  More rain has moved in, and the pitter pattering on the roof of the RV means Emma and I will only make quick forays out a couple of times this evening.  She doesn’t like to get wet any more than I do.  :)

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy