this year's count blew me away!

Long range forecast told of a break to the cold stretch. Temps in the 60s was going to feel very welcome on Saturday for the count. As the weekend approached, the forecast changed... considerably. I would have taken the cold over what we got. Even though Waukesha County was very windy, cold and a little rainy, it could have been worse. There was a foot or more of snow in the northern counties Saturday morning, which we didn't see here until Saturday night. Snow is still falling Monday, with 4-5" accumulated already.

I didn't read the Crane Foundation's Friday night email about possibility of rescheduling until the day after the count. It pertained more to northern part of state, but I always assumed the count had to be on same day, same time for everyone so we didn't double-count birds. It certainly occured to me while on my site Saturday what would we do if weather ever got worse than it already was? It's got to be the worst conditions I've encountered on the count since doing this.

Will have to have a better system set up in the future for contacting counters in bad weather.

I wouldn't have cancelled this year though. It was windy, but if you're dressed for the weather... If we had the snow like we got the next day I probably would have rescheduled, but this year so glad we did it. I heard from only one counter staying in due to weather. I counted three cranes more than I would have had I stayed home. This was the perfect first opportunity to get out on a nature hike since winter and I didn't want a little weather to dissuade or discourage us. Working 6-day weeks, including day of the count, I have fewer opportunities to recharge. Wasn't going to let a little wind blow this chance.

I was the last to arrive at our new after-count breakfast venue. At 7:30 count's end I was still a distance from the car, and my site was quite a distance from the cafe. Had a great turnout of about 15 counters, a good meal and good conversation.

I have yet to hear from everyone. I expect numbers to be lower this year, but from what I have heard so far, we didn't get skunked...

I had Site 18 for the first time. The Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preserve is south of Eagle, far SW Waukesha County, right on the county line. Loved it, and would return in a heartbeat. Such a blessing for the hidden gems in Waukesha County.