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Experts on the Winter Monitoring Team (usually two handlers) check the birds twice a day: early morning and before dark. It's an 8-minute airboat ride to the cranes' island at Chass. The monitors count the bird. They look for any injuries or health problems, and make sure they've seen all the birds flap their wings or fly. They fill up the food and fresh water supply. They set live traps if bobcats are near, and lead the chicks into the pen before dark so they are safe from predators. They make sure all of the birds' transmitters work. They make notes about the chicks' behaviors. They check the water level and listen for signals of adult cranes who might be in the area. They do not want adults at the pen site, eating the food set out for the chicks, and possibly attacking the younger birds. If the chicks are being held in the top-netted pen, the monitoring team must release them at the first sign of dangerous weather.
Photo Operation Migration
This is Sara Zimorski in the airboat.
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