Whooping
Crane Migration Update: April 21, 2006
Today's Report Includes:
- Migration Highlights
- Eastern Flock Field Notes: Everybirdy's Busy
- Challenge Question #10: The Case of the Missing Eggs
- Taking Inventory: Where Are the Crane Kids?
- Western Flock Almost Gone: Tom Stehn Reports
- Western Flock Nearer to the Nesting Grounds: Brian Johns Reports
- Will the Eastern Flock's FIRST Chicks Hatch? Discussion of CQ #9
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A
good day for migrating!
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Migration Highlights
The migration of the Western Flock from Texas to Canada is in full swing.
None has reached the nesting grounds yet, but only 12 remain in Texas.
In news from the Eastern flock, two more crane-kids completed migration,
and a fifth nest with eggs was discovered! Three older cranes—two
in previously unknown locations and one with an injury—are also home
in Wisconsin.
Read on for photos, your Challenge Question, more details and fun!
Eastern Flock Field Notes: Everybirdy's Busy
| At
4:00 PM April 19, the radio signals #511 and #521 were detected
over Necedah NWR. These youngsters, not tracked since March
30, had just completed their first spring migration! There's also not-so-good news about crane #216. He appears to be injured. Read details and consider what might be next for him:
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Challenge Question #10: The Case of the Missing Eggs
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What's
up with the nests we reported last week? On April 16 both
members of whooping crane pair #101 and #202 were seen
foraging together. Ditto for pair #317-#203. Why was this
a tip-off to trouble? With the cranes away, experts from
the crane team were able to check the nests. What did they
find? |
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Like human babies, whooping crane eggs don't come with instructions. Parents have to learn from practice. What mistakes might they make, and what lessons might they learn? See:
- Nesting Errors: Learning From Mistakes
Then come back and send us your answer:
Challenge Question #10:
“Which crane pair that nested in 2005 and 2006 has not yet learned how to keep eggs safe? Based on your work in Nesting Errors: Learning from Mistakes, why do you think they're having trouble keeping eggs safe?”
To respond
to this question, please follow these instructions.
NOTE: Sara Zimorski told us the remaining 3 crane pairs are doing
well so far, sitting tight and being very attentive to their nest/egg(s).
Taking Inventory: Where Are the Crane Kids?
Just 3 of the ultralight-led chicks haven't made it back yet. But chick #520, led astray by wandering adult #309, may soon be back where he belongs. Since last week's report the two have wandered into Ontario, Canada and back into New York. Crane Team member Sara reports that the team is working on plans to go catch #520 and #309 in NY, maybe early next week. If captured, the two wayward cranes will be brought back to their Wisconsin summer home. In updating #520's migration map, Journey North's Mary exclaimed, “Oh, it is so fun to make maps! Look where that #520 has gone!”
- Where Are the Crane-Kids? A Map for Each HY2005 Ultralight-led
Chick
NOTE: Use the drop-down menu to select individual HY2005 chicks. Zoom in on the map for more detail.
The survival story continues for reach of the flock's
64 cranes. Here's the latest on the migration status
of the
four Direct
Autumn Release
(DAR) chicks and the older birds of the Eastern Flock:
Western Flock Almost Gone: Tom Stehn Reports
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“The big push-off of cranes heading north has occurred right on schedule. And why not? The weather in Texas has been windy and warm all week, perfect conditions to help the cranes migrate,” says Tom. Since last week’s count, how many have headed north to Canada? As in most years, all the adults were gone by April 20.That leaves just 12 birds. What do they all have in common? Why does it happen that way? See Tom’s full report, and also look for Tom’s idea of the very special talents of young cranes and YOU! It's here: |
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How’s
the Weather?
Deadwood, SD had six feet of snow yesterday. Is that on the cranes’ migration
route? How might large amounts of snow affect migrating cranes? Are you keeping
track of the temperatures on the nesting grounds as the cranes head toward their
summer homes?
- Dig out your journals and check the weather in crane habitat.
- Do you live along the Texas/Canada migration path? Keep your eyes on the skies. You might get lucky and see a whooping crane! See the latest list of confirmed sightings of cranes from Texas heading to Canada.
Western Flock Nears Nesting Grounds: Brian Johns Reports
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Biologist Brian Johns is on duty, awaiting the first whooping crane arrivals to the vast wilderness of Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park for another breeding season. North winds made it a poor week for migration; just one new report came in. This pair of cranes is 2 or 3 days flying distance from the breeding grounds, and the migrants reported a week ago should be arriving this week. Why was yesterday a good day for migration? How far can the cranes fly in a day? Brian tells you in his full report. He also reminds us that whooping cranes will be performing their magnificent courtship dance as they pass through the Canadian Prairies. The video is here, in Brian’s full report: |
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Will
the Eastern Flock’s FIRST Chicks Hatch? Discussion
of CQ #9
Last week we celebrated that four pairs from the new Eastern flock
were sitting on eggs. We asked:
“ When will the chicks hatch for these 4 whooping crane pairs?"
Pair 101 and 202: began incubating April 7
Pair 213 and 218: began incubating April 6
Pair 203 and 317: began incubating April 7
Pair 211 and 217: began incubating April 11
Students from Vermont’s Ferrisburgh Central and homeschooler Marcus
all came up with the same hatch dates. Here are their answers,
plus something else to consider about eggs laid in the wild compared to
eggs laid
in
captivity:
The Next Crane Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 28, 2006.
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