Whooping Cranes: Journey North Spring 2005

Whooping Crane

Spring 2005

	NEWS FLASH: May 17, 2005 The first spring migration for the entire flock of Hatch Year 2004 whooping crane chicks is finished! Crane #418, who began his northward migration on April 18, completed his historic migration to Necedah NWR on May 16.
	FINAL Whooping Crane Update: May 13, 2005 Another historic migration is almost complete for the world's two flocks of migratory whooping cranes. We share both success and sadness as whoopers come home but the second crane in a month is lost to a predator. Use your cranium in our Craniac Quick Quiz, see the latest photos, and find out how many chicks you'll be tracking on fall's ultralight-led journey south.
	NEWS FLASH! Good News, Bad News on May 3 The good news is that HY2004 cranes #402, 403, 415, 416, 417, 419, and 420 completed their migration! The celebration was tempered by the sad news of finding the remains of #106 in a wetland in Jackson County, Wisconsin on the same day.
	Whooping Crane Migration Update: April 29, 2005 Another exciting week in Crane-dom! EASTERN: The group of 4 migrating juveniles arrived at Necedah! Lone juvenile #418 is now in Indiana. WESTERN: Just 1 crane (which one?) still at Aransas! NEW WCEP CHICKS: Four 2005 chicks have hatched so far for fall's ultralight-led journey south. Journey North for Kids invites you to compare how captive and wild chicks learn 5 lessons.
	Whooping Crane Migration Update: April 22, 2005 Earth Day brings a wonderful week of whooper news! Crane #418 began his migration at last. The first baby chick for next fall's ultralight flock is 3 days old! Three lost ultra-cranes in Canada have been found. Several of the only remaining natural migratory flock are already well into Canada. And the very FIRST eggs from the new Eastern flock were laid at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge this week! Photos, maps, details and more.
	NEWS FLASH! Chick #418 Begins Migration! Whoopee! This is the news we've all been waiting for. The only Eastern flock whooping crane chick on the Florida wintering grounds began its first journey north! Crane #418, the first (and only) supplemental release chick in the Eastern flock, most likely began his northward migration on Monday, April 18, as PTT data put him in Georgia yesterday.
	Whooping Crane Migration Update: April 15, 2005 Crane #412 was the first HY2004 chick to reach Necedah NWR! Thirty-nine Eastern whooping cranes are now roosting in and around central Wisconsin. Two are in Michigan. Three are lost in Ontario and one chick is still in Florida. We have details! Migration is in high gear for the Western natural flock, and the first whoopers reached Saskatchewan after a 10-day journey. How do they find “home?” What makes migration such a perilous time?
	Whooping Crane Migration Update: April 8, 2005 Whoopee! All 12 of the Eastern chicks are in Wisconsin, and so are 15 of the older ultra-cranes! Only chick #418 remains alone in Florida. When will he leave? The natural flock's migration from Texas to Canada is now underway, right on schedule. Why don't they all go at the same time? On April 3, chick #412 flew nearly 13 hours, the final 3 hours in darkness; this very strange event leads to CQ #8. More about PTTs, and a rare video clip of dancing cranes!
	Whooping Crane Migration Update: April 1, 2005 No fooling: migration is full speed ahead for the Eastern flock! Just one 2004 ultralight-led juvenile remains on the Florida wintering grounds. Ten of the older ultra-cranes are already “home” in Wisconsin. But nearly all the Aransas/Wood Buffalo flock remains in Texas. Who is tracking the cranes, and how? Find photos, the season's first map, and 3 new challenge questions this week.
	News Flash! Whooping Crane Kids Begin First Journey North Whoop, Whoop! Another historic journey north is underway for the newest crane kids in the Eastern flock. Eleven of the 12 hatch year 2004 crane kids began their first migration north on March 25. Flock mate #412 stayed behind at the pen site with two older, experienced ultra-cranes. Weather has not been good for migration, and their progress has been minimal. The suspense has begun!
	Whooping Crane Migration Update: March 25, 2005 No cranes from the Western flock are migrating yet, and the Florida crane kids are all staying put. But which older ultracranes have started the journey north to Wisconsin? Find out which 4 chicks wear the PTTs and why they were picked. Visit a 4th grade classroom with Journey North, and learn why a sandhill crane is fooling hopeful whooper watchers in Nebraska. Expect more migration news soon!
	Whooping Crane Migration Update: March 11, 2005 The wild whooping cranes in the Western flock are still about 3 weeks away from starting the migration. What's Tom Stehn's story of the 217th crane? All's quiet on the Eastern flock's wintering grounds, too. Be the scientist and choose which 4 will wear the satellite tracking devices. See the crane projects of proud students in New Mexico and two beautiful video clips as you fire up for the cranes' 2005 journey north.
	Whooping Crane Migration Update: February 25, 2005 They stand nearly five feet tall. Their wingspan is wider than most cars. And they're an endangered species. Right now, the world's 262 migratory whooping cranes are on their wintering grounds. Everybirdy’s got a story, and reading our crane biographies will help you discover the challenges of restoring an endangered species. Why does Tom Stehn say the whooping cranes just had an "A+" year? A new season of adventure starts today!