Sandhill's flying north.

[dagger dog]

Was pleased to see and hear the sandhill cranes flying north, hundreds in flocks all giving off their distinctive call.

They are masters of the air, whirling and climbing the thermals until just small dots but calling all the time, when they hit a high altitude wind they seem like they are jet propelled.

A sure sign that spring is on the way.

[leeggen]

I don't trust them anymore. I saw flocks fling north back before all the cold and snow hit.
CD

[Ed Barrett]

It was 78 degrees here in the Ozarks today, but the snow birds (slate colored juncos) are still here. They are usually the best indicator that the bad weather is over.

[Bad Water Bill]

For those in the Chicagoland area check out Jasper Pulaski D N R in Indiana.

That is where 40-60K cranes stop over to rest.

[FredBuddy]

And the buzzards are back in N. Central Ohio.

[FISH4BUGS]

We had all our maple trees tapped to get the sap to make maple syrup. That is the SURE sign of spring!

[timspawn]

I've never seen more than five or six together. Mostly I see them in pairs. We have them here year round and I see them almost daily on my way to and from work. They are fun to watch when hunting. I've been very close to them during turkey season. By the way, it's been in the 80's here for over a week.

[ohland]

Had a few Sandhills pass over this morning right next to the Iron Cheese Curtain.

[DLCTEX]

We rarely see them in anything but huge flocks here, which is only in the winter. We see them in flocks of thousands in milo stubble and on playa lakes.

[shredder]

I'll let you know the moment they arrive up here. We get them in huge numbers as they pass through and today is going to be 19 degrees C or about 68 I think. That should bring them on! However we have no ducks or geese yet and it sure is not spring until they come. It is truly unseasonably warm for us at this time of year.

[quilbilly]

Saw the first buzzard this week and the first evening grosbeaks arrived at out feeder this morning.