Date: 06/03/2019

Number: 1

Our Sand Hill Crane pair (named Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, because they like to dance :) debuted 2 chicks this afternoon, around 5:30. Carefully keeping the two chicks between them, as they quietly, strolled, to the area on the driveway where we supply mom and dad with corn.

We’ve been waiting /hoping to see their chicks. We were concerned the unusually, cold, wet, weather might negatively impact their incubation period; which is usually between 28-32 days.

Mom and dad incubate and feed the young.

Fledging: around 65 days.

Last year, Fred and Ginger lost 2 chicks, about two weeks after the chicks arrived.

It was very sad—their loss was immediately evident in the demeanor of Fred and Ginger. We suspect coyotes or perhaps raccoons may have participated in the demise of their 2018 chicks.

Hopefully there will be “happier outcomes” in the fledging process for Fred and Ginger during the spring and summer of 2019.

Sanford, MI

Latitude: 43.7 Longitude: -84.4

Observed by: Tilly
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.