Journey North Whooping Crane Spring 2006

Where Are the Whoopers?
(March 31, 2006)

Every spring we follow the migration of the very same cranes we tracked the previous fall. This spring we will make a map to show the journey north of our 19 young cranes. In total, however, there are now 64 whooping cranes in the Eastern flock. What about the older adults and subadults who have migrated before? Where are they now? Radio and satellite tracking as well as visual sighting reports help us keep track. We’ll update this chart each week, but remember: these are wild birds, not easy to keep track of. We simply do the best we can.

The last known locations for the adult and subadult Eastern whoopers (plus the four DAR (Direct Autumm Release) chicks who learned the route from wild adult cranes) are noted below, linked to their individual biographies for more details:

2005 Direct Autumn Release (DAR) Chicks: First Journey North!

Whooping Crane	Location
DAR 527	Indiana
DAR 528	Indiana
DAR 532	(Migrating? Unknown.)
DAR 533	Georgia

2001-2004 "White" (adult or subadult) Eastern Cranes

Whooping Crane	Location
201 and 306 402, 403, 412, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420	(Still in Florida)
301, 311 318	(Still in South Carolina)
105 and 204 216 and 303 213 and 218 211 and 217 107 309 310 All 19 HY2005 chicks that followed the ultralight planes last fall are migrating. See individual life stories for latest known locations.	On migration
316 208 101 and 202 102 and 212* 209 and 302 * 203 and 317 205 and 313 213 and 218 401, 407 and 408	Migration Complete! Home in Wisconsin
307 312	Unknown

* May be a new breeding pair!

Please respect the wildness of the birds and obey WCEP Protocols:

On foot, do not approach within 600 feet.
In a vehicle, keep well outside of 800 feet and remain inside.
Always stay quiet and hidden. Do not speak so loudly that the birds can hear you.
Please do not trespass on private property in an attempt to view Whooping cranes.

The Next Eastern Flock Highlights Will Be Posted on April 7, 2006.