Today's Report Includes:
- Four Florida Juveniles Start Migration! >>
- News: Reports and Photos From the Field >>
- Journal Topic: Tracking the Eastern Flock: Why and How? >>
- Photo
Study: Decode the Leg Bands >>
- Report Your Sightings: Citizen Scientists Needed >>
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Links: This Week's Crane Resources >>
Four of the "Chass 7" began migration March 24 with a great push from the S/SW winds! Eva took to the roads to track them, but crossing rivers slowed her chase; the birds got way ahead of her and she lost them. Today we learned that they made it to northern Alabama by the evening of March 25 and migrated again March 26. Eva will report when she gets a PTT reading so she can find and track them again!
As the first solo migration of the ultralight-led "babies'" begins, Operation Migration's Joe Duff reminds us: "After spending so much time controlling every aspect of their experience it's hard to step back and let our birds live as wild creatures. We have to remember that their kind has been doing this for millions of years. For them to live on their own, completely independent from us, is as natural as nature itself. Despite how nervous it makes us we must realize that they are safer out on their own than they are in the pen under our care. That's a hard lesson to learn."
 Photo USFWS at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas |
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Western
Flock News>> |
At least 29-30 cranes had completed migration to Wisconsin by March 23. Arrivals included four of the 2008 DAR chicks, who traveled south AND north with adult #216! (Why is that such terrific news?)
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Eastern
Flock News>> |
Eva's report showed us that tracking the cranes migration is not easy! On the other hand, if you were a crane, how would you like to wear a device that tracks you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Let's think about tracking:
How is tracking done? >>
- Discuss or write: Why do you think trackers work so hard to track the cranes in the new Eastern flock? How will they use what they learn? Why isn't the natural flock tracked?
Write thoughts in your Journey North Whooping Crane Journal. >>
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Clip: Lara
explains radio tracking. |
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Photo
Bev Paulan, Operation Migration |
Photo
Eva Szyszkoski, ICF |
Photo Eva Szyszkoski, ICF |
Are any of these among the Chass juveniles that began migration this week?
With over 300 migratory cranes in two flyways, some of you may be lucky enough to see some during the season. In addition to reporting on Journey North's site, you can also use the link below. It provides a public reporting form on a site maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The link has a helpful section on using leg bands in identifying and reporting this endangered species. When a report is submitted, the information goes simultaneously to many partners: the biologists who are tracking the birds, FWS, International Crane Foundation, Wisconsin DNR, and Operation Migration. Check it out, citizen scientists!
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Before you report a crane sighting: Are you certain it's a Whooper? Please see WCEP form. |
- Photo Study: Who's the Predator? Who's the Prey? >>
- Tracking Lesson: Radio Telemetry: Tracking the Cranes >>
- Crane History: Cracking the Code: Banded Cranes Tell Their Story >>
- Archives: Tale of a Banded Crane >>
- A Scientist's Thoughts: Migration Mystery: Timing >>
- Identify Using Band Colors: Quick Color Codes for the Class of 2008 >>
- Mapping and Record Keeping: Track the Migration >>
- Meet Student Craniacs: Classrooms in Action >>
Photo Eva Szyszkoski, ICF
Are these juveniles at Chass landing — or taking off? Explain.
The Next Whooping Crane Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 3, 2009.
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