Highlights of this report: * Last Call - Ask the Whooping Crane Expert * Update from the whooping cranes' nesting grounds in Canada. * Sightings reported along the migratory pathway. * Notes from the cranes' wintering grounds in Texas. * Classroom mapping activity.
Ask the Expert: This is the last call! Think up some whoppers and send your questions about whoopers by May 15th to:
To: Journey North From: Wally Jobman U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Grand Island, Nebraska Date: May 3, 1995
"Dear Students,
"Each spring, some whooping cranes begin nesting during the first week of May so the Canadian Wildlife Service flew a nesting survey at Wood Buffalo National Park on May 1st.
Seven pairs of whooping cranes were found on territories and one of the pairs had initiated nesting activities. There was still scattered snow in the trees, which made it very hard to see and count the white birds. The nesting area is drier than normal and water conditions are poor, which is not good news. (More chicks are able to survive when the marshes are full with water.)
Here are the sightings that have been reported to me since the last update:
Date # Sighted Location April 13 4 Polo, South Dakota April 15 3 Pierre, South Dakota April 20 8 Adams County, Colorado (flying north of Denver) April 25 5 Arnold, Nebraska April 28 3 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan April 30 3 Beaver City, Nebraska May 1 2 Reliance, South Dakota May 2 4 Stickney, South Dakota May 2 8 Regina, Saskatchewan (50 miles to the NE) May 2 3 Yorktown, Saskatchewan
"The cranes associated with the most recent sightings all migrated on May 2nd. Winds were from the south (15-25 mph) that day and there was some sunshine. The passage of a cold front late the next day brought clearing skies and light north winds on May 4th. Prior to this May 2nd window of good migration conditions, travel was slowed (between April 29th and May 1st) by persistent clouds, drizzle, rain showers, north/northeast winds and abnormally cold weather in the Northern Great Plains.
"The Colorado sighting is about 100 miles west of the whooping crane migration corridor. Perhaps the birds were forced west by stormy weather. This is the furthest west sighting ever confirmed of cranes destined for Wood Buffalo N.P.
"Color bands were seen on the two cranes sighted in Reliance, South Dakota. They were banded as chicks, one in 1985 and the other in 1987, so they're expected to nest this year. (Whooping cranes are first believed to nest when they're between 3-6 years old.)"
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To: Journey North From: Tom Stehn, Refuge Biologist Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, Texas
"Dear Students,
"Will they or won't they migrate? Three whooping cranes are still here at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge! The other 130 whoopers have started the migration, so why are these three birds such slowpokes?
"About once every five years, one or two whoopers spend the summer at Aransas. Some of these summer Texans have died before fall, so I always worry that birds that fail to migrate may be sick. Three birds summered here in 1994, and I don't know if these are the same birds because they aren't color-banded. There is still a chance they will decide to head north in the next 10 days or so. They are young birds, not yet old enough to breed, so even if they do stay chick production this summer won't be impacted.
"A Canadian biologist travelled to Wood Buffalo National Park at the end of April and has started aerial searches for nesting cranes. I wish him and the cranes all the luck this nesting season.
Sincerely, Tom Stehn
Mapping Activity Using the summary below of all the sightings reported along the cranes' migratory route, see if you can map their migration corridor. Next, answer these questions:
1) How many miles is it from Aransas to Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta?
2) What human activities along the route might affect the cranes' migration?
3) Make a list of the other challenges the cranes must overcome during their long journey.
Summary of Whooping Crane Sightings, April 5 - May 2, 1995
Date # Cranes Place of Sighting April 5 4 Minden, Nebraska April 6 1 Arlington, South Dakota April 12 5 Cottonwood Falls, Kansas April 13 4 Polo, South Dakota April 14 2 Gibbon, Nebraska April 15 3 Pierre, South Dakota April 15 1 Govan, Saskatchewan April 16 1 Luseland, Saskatchewan April 16 7 Hayes, South Dakota April 16 3 Ford, Kansas April 17 2 Holdrege, Nebraska April 20 8 Adams County, Colorado April 25 5 Arnold, Nebraska April 28 3 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan April 30 3 Beaver City, Nebraska May 1 2 Reliance, South Dakota May 2 4 Stickney, South Dakota May 2 8 Regina, Saskatchewan(50 mi.NE) May 2 3 Yorktown, Saskatchewan
Journey North 125 North First Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Phone: (612)339-6959