August 6, 2002 She's BAAAAK! 2001's Crane #2, Hanging Out Photo WCEP How goes the battle for territory with last year's yearling cranes? Operation Migration team leader Joe Duff reports that last year's Crane #2 is still hanging around. She's on the runway almost every day. It's not easy. Joe describes: "She lopes ahead, faster than we are. Mark chased her across the ridge. She flew back to the runway and I chased her with the plane. Then she flew to the marsh and watched. A wild sandhill flew at her and chased her off. She was at site 2 runway when we got there to fly the younger group! The crew squirts her with water from soakers under their costumes. She doesn't like the soaking." But last year's Crane #2 is slowly learning the lesson that all yearling cranes must learn. She's no longer unison calling and not giving big strong aggressive displays. Joe says, "We never give her a moment's peace when we're there. We chase her off like parents will do. We're hoping she'll set up a territory nearby. That would be great because she'd chase off other birds--which will help us!" Try This! Journaling Question Find out a bit more about Crane #2 on our Meet the Flock page from last year. What predictions do you make for this crane's life? Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure made possible by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP). Copyright 2002 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form