Sandhill Crane [Grus canadensis] ~ 2016 #39

I took a trip to Burnaby Lake on March 17th and was very happy to see the return of the Sandhill Cranes. Last year a pair of Sandhill Cranes made Burnaby Lake their home, and even produced on baby. [click here to see last years’ post of the cute little colt] From what I understand this was the first time there had been a nesting pair at Burnaby Lake. Unfortunately that colt did not make it very long, but the hopes were high the Sandhills would come back to try again. I’m not sure which was the male or female but there was one with darker orange eyes (above) and one with yellow eyes (bottom).

I’m not sure what has come of the Burnaby Lake pair this year as I have not seen them in my last few trips to Burnaby Lake, although admittedly I haven’t made as many trips as I would like.

The one place you are sure to see Sandhills is at the George C Reifel Bird Sanctuary. From what I read on their website there is one resident pair, but there are also a few outsiders. Every time we go we see at least a half dozen of them.