To: Journey North
From: Wally Jobman,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Grand Island, Nebraska
The first whooping crane sightings from South and North Dakota were reported last week on April 12-14th. According to color bands identified, the 4 adult and 1 young observed in North Dakota were probably the same birds observed in Rush County, Kansas, on April 5-6.
A survey completed at Aransas NWR on April 11 found 40 adult and 8 young whooping cranes still on the refuge. Therefore, about 109 birds had begun migrating.
Weather in Nebraska last week went from one extreme to the other. South winds and warm temperature prevailed from April 8 to 11. It was summerlike on the 10th and 11th, with high temps between 80 and 90, with strong south winds.
I expect the migration has progressed very little in the states north of Kansas since April 11. A strong cold front arrived in central Nebraska the afternoon of the 11th, dropping temperatures almost 50 degrees in two hours. North winds and cool temps have persisted since April 11. Central Nebraska received heavy wet snow (7" in Grand Island) on April 14 with temps in the 30's. The forecast for this week is for warming temps and south winds through mid-week."
Mr. Jobman enclosed a newspaper article about the hazards which the cranes encounter during migration. According to the Grand Island Independent newspaper, "As many as 1,200 sandhill cranes were presumed dead in the aftermath of the March 24th blizzard. With 60 mph winds and driving snow, many of the cranes appeared to have hit obstructions such as power lines or trees. Many others appeared to have suffered trauma from a wind sheer that slammed them to the ground. Many cranes appeared to have suffocated from ice buildup in their mouths and throats. One group of cranes that did survive were found in a tight circle, with their eyes looking outward in all directions, watching for predators."
Jobman said Sandhill cranes were the only identified losses during the blizzard. However, he believes a few whooping cranes were also in the area. The severity of this spring storm points out how vulnerable the whooping crane population is--during migration but also at all times. A single event such as a storm or disease could wipe out the entire population.
Date..............Location
04/07-09/96..........NEBRASKA
........................Phelps County ( South and east of Odessa, south of
Kearney)
........................2 + 1 Cranes
04/10/96.............NEBRASKA
........................Hall County, Platte River (Near Grand Island)
........................2 Cranes
04/11/96.............NEBRASKA
........................Hall County, Plate river (Near Grand Island)
........................2 + 1 Cranes
04/12/96.............SOUTH DAKOTA
........................Lyman County (West of Mitchell)
........................2 Cranes
04/13-14/96..........NORTH DAKOTA
........................Ward County (SW of Minot)
........................4 + 1 Cranes
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