(Sandhill Cranes, Franklin Twp., Mar. 5, 2014, photo by Jeff Ellerbusch)

The Sandhill Cranes of Franklin Twp. were reported today for the first time since January 31 (Jeff Ellerbusch). The cranes were in the corn stubble at Randolph Road this afternoon. These are hardy birds indeed. They were not at this location later in the afternoon.

Also, there is a report of three Sandhill Cranes from a cornfield in Hillsborough Twp. near the Millstone River. No details of the location although it is assumed to be along the Millstone River Road, a.k.a. CR 533. This report came within an hour of the Franklin Twp. report leaving one to wonder if these are the same three cranes from Franklin Twp. or the three other cranes from the original group of six that visited Franklin Twp. from November through January.

The Somerset County portion of the Raritan River was well covered today. 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (RBME) and 1 Greater Scaup were reported from Duke Island Park (Bobby Skrabal). 2 other RBMEs were seen further east on the Raritan River (John J. Collins). At the Weston Canal Road section (Bound Brook) of the D&R Canal Towpath, Jeff Ellerbusch found 19 Ring-necked Ducks, 10 Bufflehead, 1 Common Goldeneye, 14 Common Mergansers, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Pied-billed Grebe.