I did not spot this on the refuge but in the city of Chincoteague. There is a
small parking lot for the Island Nature Trail on Hallie W Smith Drive. I walked
the trail across the street from the parking lot. This is a wooded area, with
some standing water from recent storms and continues through wooded marsh land.
About a quarter mile in, on the trail was an adult Sandhill Crane, it seemed
quite tame and unbothered by my presence, it stayed with me for approx 10
minutes as I walked the trail, keeping ahead maintaining a distance between 5
and 15 feet until it walked into a marsh area. It was banded. I did get a
number of photographs which I will post later.
I wish to thank a woman, I met on the wildlife loop of the refuge for making
this encounter possible. She caused me to look for some redhead ducks at the
pond across the street from the Chincoteague Elementary School on Hallie W
Smith Drive. I then found the Island Nature Trail, I did not get her name and
hope she reads this and is able to find the Sandhill Crane.
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