April
3, 2004: A Day of Harrassment for the Young Cranes
Operation
Migration Field Notes By Heather Ray
 |
Heather
Ray of Operation
Migration |
The
Word Gets Out
After
arriving in Macon County, North Carolina on April 1, the group of eight
hatch year 2003 cranes endured far more than they ever should have. After
strong northwest winds and rain pushed them off course, they were forced
to put down in an area of the Nantahala National Forest in the southwest
portion of the state and wait for migration conditions to improve. Whereas
normally they would select a crane-suitable wetland or marsh away from
human activity, these types of habitat simply don't exist in the middle
of a National Forest. Word got out rather quickly about the eight large
white birds, and people, some even claiming to be "birders,"
flocked to the area in hopes to see these rare visitors.
Good Neighbors and Bad Neighbors
The
river they had been foraging and roosting in was situated alongside a
normally quiet two-lane State Road. Across the road and about 300 yards
from the river's edge is a home occupied by two very supportive and now
crane-savvy folks. After speaking with Richard Urbanek shortly after the
cranes appeared, this couple kept a watchful eye on them through their
living room window. If a car stopped, they invited its occupants onto
their porch to watch the cranes through a scope they had set up, to avoid
having them head down to the river for a better look. Thankfully they
even intercepted the nitwit that attempted to capture one of the cranes.
It's friends like this that these birds need -- folks that respect them
for the wild creatures they are, and who unfortunately, also realize that
humans, even those claiming to be "birders," cannot be trusted
to not approach them.
Now, before I have all the birders out there writing in defense their
chosen pastime, let me publicly state that I, too, am a birder. And yes,
I may even be tempted to go out in search of a group of Whooping cranes
if I heard rumors that they were nearby. The difference is that I know,
and I bird by, the American Birding Association's Code of Birding Ethics.
Young Cranes Harrassed
The
ones who just read the last sentence and thought to themselves "Code
of ethics? I didn't know there was a code of ethics for birdwatchers"--
are the ones we worry about. The "local birder" like the woman
who yesterday [April 3], while trying to get close enough to "read
the numbers on the cranes' leg bands," seemed surprised and even
upset when stopped by Richard. Or the other "birder" who brought
along a couple of her friends then proceeded to get within 20 feet of
the cranes and carry on a normal, not-even-slightly-hushed conversation
with her friends. The shocking part was that when they walked back to
their car, and were approached by Richard who explained the dangers of
approaching any wildlife in that manner, she exclaimed "but I'm a
birder" as if that allows her the right to harass any feathered creature!
Please! If you're going to refer to yourself as a "birder" then
take the time to familiarize yourself with the Code of Birding Ethics.
You'll have more respect when you can say "I am a responsible birder."
 |
In
Macon County, NC Photo Richard Urbanek |
Bad
and Worse
Unfortunately
for the cranes and their two friends that live across the road, a second
nearby home is occupied by the type of friend no bird needs. Even after
learning about the endangered birds, the landowner proceeded to mow his
lawn on the other side of the river, not far from the group. The cranes
appeared concerned but just huddled closer together once they realized
the riding mower wasn't coming any closer. Late yesterday, as soon as
Richard temporarily left to find a nearby motel room, this same individual
arrived on the scene again--this time in his car, with his wife and three
children. The good neighbor watched as the bad neighbors drove as close
as they could get. Then all five exited the car and approached the cranes.
The wary cranes had had enough. They flushed immediately and at 5 p.m.,
as they climbed out of their less-than-serene setting of the past 2 days,
one of them hit a power line.
Escape!
The good neighbor reported that all eight birds continued to climb, and
watched as they circled overhead, gaining altitude for almost an hour,
before setting course toward the north as darkness fell. Richard was able
to track them through the forested area for only a short time before losing
track of their radio signals; but he reports the winds had died down,
and they were flying under a bright full moon. If luck is on their side
they were able to continue northwest, toward an area they'd recognize
from last fall, and with a little bit of hope, into the more crane-friendly,
neighboring State of Tennessee.
Try This! Educate to Protect the Cranes
-
What can you do to prevent episodes like this from happening in your area, whether you are in the crane flyway or not? Work with partners or small groups to brainstorm and then carry out your plans to educate the public. Will you write a letter to the editor of your local paper? Create a display for the grocery store or post office? Speak at the public library? We'd love to hear your results or put photos of your work on the Web if you write to us at our feedback form.
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).
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