By James Reddoch
Sandhill cranes have been reported as occasional migrants in Maine going back to the early 1960s. The first confirmed breeding pair were documented in 2000 in the Belgrade Lakes region. People have been reporting cranes in the Fryeburg area since 2007 with breeding pairs confirmed by 2015. The Mahoosuc Land Trust has held an annual, fall field trip to look for cranes for the past six years. These large birds congregate in groups ranging from 25 to 50 in the plowed fields along the Saco River lingering until late fall before winter arrives. If you are in the Fryeburg area, consider a side-trip along McNeil Road. Early mornings are best. Scan plowed fields from your car for these large birds. Binoculars or a spotting scope will help.
Sources:
Birds of Maine, Peter Vickery, 2020,
eBird. 2021. An online database of bird distribution and abundance
Comments