Tropical storm birds, Whooping Crane

Tropical Storm Colin blew only a few birds into Gainesville this morning. About twenty people showed up at Palm Point to scan the lake. The final tally was 7 Sooty Terns, 4 Black Terns, and 2 Forster’s Terns. Peter Polshek continued south to Lake Lochloosa after seeing the Newnans Lake birds, but he found only three Forster’s Terns there.

I just now (11:50) got messages from Debbie Segal and Deena Mickelson that a Whooping Crane can be seen at very close range from US-441. Going south from Gainesville, 441 dips down onto Paynes Prairie, and the first thing you’ll see on your right (west of 441) is a cow pasture. The Whooping Crane is in that pasture. Hope it sticks around long enough for June Challengers to see it!