Whooping Crane  Migration


Still Down (+0 Miles)
November 28, 2006: Migration Day 55

It's now the 6th day of waiting to climb up and over Tennessee's Cumberland Ridge. Raindrops are falling on the ground. Headwinds at
25 mph winds are gusting at 3,000 feet. When will they get to Florida? See the graph below to see what students in Mrs. Black's class predict!

Whooping Cranes Make Headlines!

  • The new Eastern flock is making headlines in such faraway places as Dubai,United Arab Emirates. NOTE: What correction will you make to this sentence from that article? "One of the first whooping crane chicks hatched in the wild in more than a century is making more history as it migrates south with its parents from a refuge." If you are stumped, read on and you'll know the edit needed:
  • In the only truly wild flock left (the Western flock), there's GREAT news: A record 224 whooping cranes, including 42 chicks, has arrived at their winter home on the Texas Gulf Coast, and more of the endangered white birds were seen en route in Kansas. Their arrival would boost the Aransas-Wood Buffalo flock to 232 — the most EVER! Last year's peak population was 220, then a record. The 42 chicks at Aransas also mark an all-time high, surpassing the previous record of 34 in 2004. Six sets of twins surpass the previous high of four chick pairs in 1958. Whooping crane counts at the Texas winter home have been conducted since 1938.

In the Classroom

  • Journaling Question: What's YOUR prediction for the new flock's arrival at their final stop in Florida? (See the Migration Comparison Chart for previous arrival dates. Is your chart updated?)
  • Crane-making Fun: Mrs. Black's students in Canada want to share the directions for the paper maché whooping cranes they're making for the arrival celebration at the end of this migation. Maybe you'll be inspired to make your own!

Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure presented in cooperation with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).

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