On September 6, 2007, I personally saw 11 Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) on the Kismat tract in the Conservancy’s Central Basin Reserve Area. This is the first time these birds, some having wing spans of 80 inches, have been seen on Conservancy preserves. While the birds are not one of the HCP’s “covered species,” they are nonetheless striking in their beauty and sheer size, and at least in recent history, are unusual in the Natomas Basin. The group was wading in water control structure “K” on the preserve, and white faced ibis (an HCP covered species) were in the same area. Truly a breathtaking scene.
A New Team Member.
Pictured here are two photos, one of a goat about to give birth to a kid on a portion of the Conservancy’s preserves that benefit Swainson’s hawk. The hawks have migrated now, so the field’s vacant state was recently enlivened when this newborn made its introduction to life on Earth. …