Journey North Whooping Cranes Spring 2010

Whooping Crane

FINAL Migration Update: May 14, 2010

The journey north is over and the miraculous cycle of life continues. Today we celebrate May's exiting events with photos, slideshows, audio and video. Five new nests in Wisconsin have everyone excited, and nesting condtions in Canada are good. View nests from the air with Eva and smile at the first babies in the Class of 2010. Why is this is this tiny whooper chick napping by a puppet?

Today's Report Includes:

Migration News: Map and Field Reports
Chick Chat: First Babies for Class of 2010
Create-a-Caption: What Will the New Chicks Do This Summer?
Links: Helpful Resources to Explore
Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts

Image of the Week

Photo Barb Clauss, PWRC

Why is this Whooping crane chick napping by a puppet?

Migration News: Map and Field Reports

Western Flock News	Data /Map	Eastern Flock News
Most of the cranes have reached their territories on the nesting grounds, and perhaps built nests. Chicks may have already hatched! In Canada, Lea will soon fly over the nesting grounds to find out. More:	This Spring's Migration There are about 365 migratory Whooping cranes: 262 in the western (natural) flock and 102 in the eastern (reintroduced) flock. The map shows two distinct flyways and most migrations are complete!	The youngest birds are wandering to explore, but the older ones are settling. Sara tells of FIVE new nests! Hop aboard the airplane with ICF tracker Eva as she shares photos on Wisconsin's nesting grounds. More:

Chick Chat: First Babies for Class of 2010

Whoopee! The Class of 2009 has come home to Wisconsin without any help, and the first chicks in the new Class of 2010 have hatched! Next October this special group will follow ultralight airplanes to learn their migration route south for the winter. They will return in spring to Wisconsin to help the new eastern flock grow.

As of today, six eggs have hatched. It's time to meet the Class of 2010!

Click on each chick to see who they are.

Class of 2010 Begins Hatching!

Video Clip: 1 day old chick learning to eat
Video Operation Migration

Nonfiction Story: Teaching Chicks to Eat

Whooping cranes are the tallests birds in North America, but they all start out TINY.

Create-a-Caption: What Will the New Chicks Do This Summer?

The whooping crane chicks that hatch in captivity this spring have an exciting summer ahead. They have a lot to learn before they journey south this fall — following an ultralight airplane! These slide shows give you a preview about the training and travels ahead of them. They'll get you ready to write your own captions for the Summer Adventures Slideshow!

Summer Adventures Slide Show
Create-a-Caption Handout

See these slideshows to help you with captions>>

Links: Helpful Resources to Explore

Teachers/Overview: About This Study
Image of the Week: Why is this Whooping crane chick napping by a puppet?
Field Report: Western Flock
Field Report: Eastern Flock
Current Nesting Chart: 2010 Nests, Wisconsin
Audio Clip: Why the Crane Costume?
Video Clip & Link to Story: Teaching Chicks to Eat
Lesson: Eggs From Many Places: Building Genetic Diversity
Slideshow & Activity: Summer Adventures
Slideshow: Who Am I? Imprinting
Slideshow: Off to Flight School: Finding Their Wings
Canada Map and Activities: The Western Flock's Nesting Grounds in Canada
Biographies: Birds in the Eastern Flock
Get Acquainted: WCEP Partners: Who Does What?

On the Nest!

Photo Matt Strausser, ICF
(enlarge)

Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts

Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation? With your help, we can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value. We need comments like yours to keep the program going and growing.

Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts

More Whooping Crane Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

This is the FINAL Whooping Crane Migration Update for spring 2010. Thanks for cheering the two migratory flocks on their journey north. Join us in September as the now-hatching Class of 2010 prepares for its ultralight-led first Journey South! Until then, best wishes for a fun-filled, environment-friendly summer!