Date: 03/07/2009

Number: 1

I spotted what I am pretty sure were sandhill cranes returning from the south this afternoon. It was approximately 1:00 pm EST. The birds numbered around 40 total. They flew over in groups of 8 - 10. Long, slightly arched lines of birds. They flew too hight to identify absolutely as sandhills but low enough that I could tell without question that they were cranes. They seemed to be enjoying coasting around on thermals and would bunch together in messy circles floating around and around on the air currents. I heard them long before I saw them! Sort of sounded like a goose crossed with a purring cat. I think that they came down to rest in Eagle Creek Reservoir or around Eagle Creek -
Latitude = 39.7886, Longitude = -86.2643
Lat = 39 degrees, 47.3 minutes North
Long = 86 degrees, 15.9 minutes West

On a side note, I wrote to you almost exactly a year ago reporting what I thought were whooping cranes. It had to have been these sandhills. :)

Indianapolis, IN

Latitude: 39.8 Longitude: -86.1

Observed by: Corrie
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