Today's Report Includes:
- Migration Map and Highlights: Almost Everybirdy's Home
- Egg-citing News! Meet Chick #702
- Journal: Learning Life's Lessons
- Western Flock: Cranes Near Home
- Captive Cranes: Two Chicks Get New Home
- Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
-
Links: This Week's Crane Resources
Photo Margaret Black
Crane
scientist Kris meets two cranes that didn't make
the team last fall. See the slide show on Kris's computer screen: >>
 |
 |
 |
| Departure
Log Click for migration animation >> |
Arrival
Log |
|
| This week brought one more Whooper home to Wisconsin, and PTT signals revealed that one more (DAR 27-06) finally began migration from Florida. Only cranes #509, #516, #615, and #523 are still in Florida wintering areas — even though it's getting warm in Wisconsin! Wayward female #309 remains in New York state, and #318 and DAR 33-05 are in Michigan. The new Eastern flock has an estimated 51 of its 59 Whooping Cranes home! Which crane is the newest arrival at the Finish Line? Many
of the Western flock are into the final stretch
of their 2,500-mile migration from Texas to Canada!
Many lucky observers in the eastern and central flyways have
seen flying Whoopers.
This
is REALLY
exciting
when
you remember
that only 15 Whooping Cranes survived just 65 years ago. |
||
The
first chick of the Class of 2007 hatched on April 18 in Maryland, with
many happy experts to watch over it. (The #701 egg didn't
survive, so the new chick is #2 of the 2007 hatch year.) Since #702
has no other Whooping crane chicks to
socialize
with yet, its
play mate for now is a Sandhill crane. But 702 KNOWS it's a Whooping
Crane.
•
It hears the Whooper brood
call.
•
An
adult Whooping crane is penned
right
next
to it to ensure proper imprinting.
•
Any humans within sight are covered
by costumes.
These steps help keep the babies "wild."
Photo
WCEP
Chick
#702 gets
wet feet for the first time: April 26, 2007
More >>
Chicks who just flew their first journey north have come a long way since they hatched almost a year ago. Explore this week's lesson:
Whooping Crane Kids: Learning Life's Lessons
- (A) In your journal, list skills a young crane learns from its parents before it's ready for life on its own. Start your list from time of hatching. Go through the first year of life, ending with spring migration.
- (B for Bonus) Which of the skills on your list do you already possess? Which will you need more time and experience to learn?
Write your list in your journal. >>
The 2,500-mile trip from Texas to Canada is almost over for some of the crane pairs. They just need to cross the boreal forested areas of northern Saskatchewan and Alberta and they'll be back at their summer nesting grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park.
Waiting to welcome them is biologist Brian Johns. He will be looking for two special adults this year. Which ones, and why are they so special? Find out in Brian's report.>>
Photo Brian Johns
What is so extraordinary about the Lobstick male? You'll be surprised!
Meet Bode and Ohno, two chicks who started out as Direct-release chicks last fall, but ended up as new captives in a nice Florida zoo.
Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation?
Only with your help can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value. The information you provide is critical for planning new initiatives and for improving Journey North. Thank you!
Year-end Evaluation >>
- Lesson: Signals From the Sky: About Those Ptts >>
- Nesting News: Wisconsin Whoopers Lay Eggs and Leave Them >>
- Map: Canadian Nesting Grounds Map/Activities >>
- Questions and Answers: Expert Answers to Your Whooping Crane Questions >>
- Whooping Crane Migration Journals (click-and-print) >>
- Whooping Cranes for Kids (booklets, photos, videos) >>
The Next Whooping Crane Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 4, 2007.
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