Whooping Crane, Ogemaw County

[Cindy Mead]

Listers: Thousands of Sandhill Cranes decended on Ogemaw County today, so we checked out the Prescott area where farmland and tilled cornfield are plentiful.  Roughly around 3:30 pm, on Brown Road (east off from Sage Lake Road) we stopped to view several large feeding flocks of Sandhills  and spotted an adult Whooping Crane with one of the flocks.  We had very good views with our bins- this is private land, but I was able to capture quite a few images that show the distinct markings and a good size comparison to the Sandhills as well. The bird is banded on both legs-(left leg: yellow on top, green on bottom.. right: red on top, green on bottom).
We observed it for 20-30 minutes and it was still present when we left. Given the migratory nature of these birds, it's hard to say how long it will stay in that area.
Also, if anyone knows of a source that I can report the banded Whooper too, I'd appreciate any info. on the side. If a compiler could contact me regarding documenting this rarity, I'd be more than happy to do just that as I do have several images that clearly show the id well.  What a thrill to see one in the wild :)
Thanks and good birding,
Cindy & Garry Mead

Hill Twp, Ogemaw County
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