I call it croaking. The more sophisticated folks at Cornell Lab of Ornithology in ``All About Birds'' describe the sound of sandhill cranes as ``a deep, rolling trumpet and rattling.'' Decide for yourself.
Either way, the distinctive sound of sandhills are all over the Chicago area today as a massive migration is underway.
I made my kids identify the sound after school, then showed them a couple dozen riding thermals.
Long-time reader Joe was the first to e-mail: ``The Sand Hills are flying over Wheaton . . . and it is a lovely sound!''
Bob Mikol followed shortly with this note: ``Massive migration passing over Darien, IL. Est. near 3,000+ birds. Awesome to watch them catch the thermals and move on.''
Watch the sky and enjoy.
Changes are coming, as Joe sent in a follow-up note: ``Almost as good as the Peepers, which soon will be heard at the Arboretum.''
Soon enough, soon enough, all kinds of sights and sounds are coming. Long overdue this year.
Sandhill cranes were flying enmasse today. My friend called from Nelson Lake in Kane County and observed a flock of 8 on the ground soon to be joined by a flock of 20. I have had flocks of red winged blackbirds at my feeders, another sure sign of Spring. I woke early this AM, still dark with a cardinal outside singing away. Some red tailed hawk nests I know of have hawks sitting on them. Now if the chorus frogs would appear!!!
Did I mention I was heading to the UP this weekend to backcountry ski and snowshoe? Some of us can't get enough of winter!!!
But I anxiously await the warm days ahead!!!!!