Today's Report Includes:
- Migration Map and Highlights: Another Migration Almost Complete
- Chick Chat: Summer Adventures Coming
- Journal: Nifty Numbers
- Brian's Report: How Many Eggs Does it Take?
- Tom's Report: Great Escape and Traveling Eggs
- Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
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Links: This Week's Crane Resources
Photo
Sara Zimorski, ICF
Why is
a red head patch (it’s NOT feathers) a useful adaptation for
a Whooping Crane? What other head adaptations help cranes survive? >>
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| Departure
Log Migration animation >> |
Arrival
Log |
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| Eastern Flock: With the touchdown of #509 on May 4, an estimated 52 of the 57 Whooping Cranes are home at the Finish Line! Cranes #516 and DAR 27-06 are still migrating. Crane #309 remains in New York, and #318 and DAR 33-05 are in Michigan. Again, no new nesting activity was recorded during the week. Keep up with your favorite crane in the new flock on Life story pages. We update them as information arrives. (Scroll down to "Spring 2007" at the bottom of the page). Western Flock: Many of the breeding pairs are now incubating their eggs on the nesting grounds in Canada! It's noteworthy that a few are dawdling — or veering east of the typical flyway: there've been two confirmed sightings in Minnesota and one in extreme SE North Dakota, plus 3 mysterious sightings of a crane along the north shore of Lake Erie in Ontario. The rest are busy minding their own business. Now it's time to think about the future chicks, so let's dig in! |
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Slide Show Handout >>
The chick-rearing building in Maryland is buzzing with excitement. Operation Migration requested 20 to 24 chicks for its next ultralight-led flock, and they're up to eight!
These little fluff balls have an exciting summer ahead. They have much to learn before they fly south this fall — with an ultralight airplane leading the way. Here's a preview of their summer adventures. Use our handout to write your own photo captions! >>
Photo
WCEP
New chicks have a lot to learn.
Operation Migration's Bev Paulan sums up the chick stats to date:
| # | Hatched | Weight | Weight May 8 |
| 702 | 4/18 |
122 grams | 660 grams |
| 703 | 4/29 |
150 grams | 278 grams |
| 704 | 5/01 |
134 grams | 201 grams |
| 706 | 5/01 |
127 grams | 195 grams |
| 707 | 5/02 |
116 grams | 136 grams |
| 708 | 5/03 |
135 grams | 150 grams |
| 709 | 5/05 |
132 grams | 120 grams |
| 710 | 5/07 |
154 grams |
- (A) What is the age range between the oldest and youngest chick? (Count the number of days between their hatch dates.)
- (B for Bonus) What's the average weight gain per day for Chick 702?
- (C for Cranium Buster) Convert 702's weight from grams to ounces. (100 grams = 3.53 ounces)
Biologist Brian Johns has a question for you:
- How many Whooping Crane eggs does it take to make another whooping crane egg?
You'll be surprised at the answer! Brian explains. >>
Photo Dalton Muir
"If I'm able to fly next week, I would expect to find between 0 and 4 cranes at Aransas NWR," writes Tom Stehn from the main flock's wintering grounds. He wonders why two Whoopers would still be in Kansas when they should be in Canada. Tom also tells us about an exciting "egg hand-off" that took place May 10 at two airports! >>
Photo
Kyle McDonald
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 >>
This is the FINAL Whooping Crane Migration Update for Spring 2007. Thanks for sharing the adventure. Please join us in September for the new chicks' first journey south!
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