[blomley]

Spotted a pair of sandhill cranes in Pitt Meadows at Swan-e-set golf course this morning. I suppose they could have arrived from the South. But I've also heard suggestions that some over-winter here. Is that correct?

[BirdingBC]

Spotted a pair of sandhill cranes in Pitt Meadows at Swan-e-set golf course this morning. I suppose they could have arrived from the South. But I've also heard suggestions that some over-winter here. Is that correct?

Sandhill cranes do winter each year in the lower mainland. Here on the island, we have had the occasional sandhill winter here as well. I recall there are usually a few found at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Westham Is. eBird.org data shows recent sightings near Pitt-Addington Marsh and Pitt Polder Ecological reserve as well as Minnekahda Park, all in the vicinity of Swaneset golf club. This may be one of the most northern wintering places for these birds.

https://ebird.org/map/sancra?neg=true&e ... 0&eyr=2021

Cheers and good birding,

[blomley]

Thanks. It's always a pleasure to see these magnificent birds.