Recently our community bulletin presented this lovely story about the birth of 2 little Sand Hill Cranes, written so well by Bob & Joan G., residents of our village. I've excerpted some of their story below:
"We had watched over the past months as they (sand hill crane mama- and papa-to-be) came every morning for about 2 hrs and pulled reeds from the lake bottom and piled them at one spot. We hoped they were building a nest as some cranes had done so in the same area seven years before. With the egg laying, we knew they were. Then they both left that evening.
They came back in the morning and the female laid another egg and then sat. An internet search told us the eggs should hatch in about 30 days and the baby chicks can swim within 24 hours after hatching.
As the days went by, Mama sat on the nest all night and in the morning, about 9:00 a.m., Dad appeared. He sat all day till about 5:00 p.m. when mom re-appeared and he left. During the month, the birds continued to add to the nest as it seemed to sink into the water.
On day 30, we had some folks sitting on lawnchairs waiting for the big event. That started the EGG VIGIL. We used our binoculars frequently during the day to observe the eggs for any signs of cracks. On April 9, the birds gave out long calls early in the morning and then both stayed by the nest all day and all the next day. The next day we noticed Mama pecking at one egg. In the morning, the 35th day, we saw a lovely little yellow chick and decided to name him Fraser Crane. We watched the chick struggle to walk, falling over its long legs, all wet and very young. Mama kept using her beak to fluff up the feathers and help it to dry.
By the end of the day, it was actually swimming in the lake around the nest while Dad proudly watched. It was April 11. The next day, Dad began pecking at the remaining egg and in a few minutes another lovely yellow, wet, weak tiny bird appeared (Sandy Crane). It too staggered around, falling, while its older sibling watched with interest.
As the day drew to a close, mama bird sat on the nest and moved her wings apart from her body a bit and we watched as the chicks awkwardly tottered into the space she left for them. When they were totally in there, she drew her wings in again. Sure gives new meaning to the phrase "having someone under your wing" doesn't it?"
