Yesterday, December 22, 2020, I saw and heard at least a few hundred Sandhill
Cranes kettling and flying south over my property in Birchwood (Hamilton
County). Nevertheless, when I went late in the day to the Hiwassee Wildlife
Refuge viewing area in Meigs County at Birchwood, Sandhill Cranes were present
in the largest numbers I have seen there this season. Canvasback ducks were
also present in larger numbers than seen to date this season. Quite a few
visitors were taking advantage of the opportunities to take advantage of the
light conditions to view and photograph the cranes. Virtually every person
there was wearing a mask!
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
