Annual Wisconsin-to-Florida whooping crane migration makes fitful start

[Donna]

here's a pic from just now of a Whooper in flight with Ultra Light

[Paul Hamilton]

And another picture of a crane.

Paul

[Donna]

And another picture of a crane.

Paul

That was fun to watch...they landed a few minutes ago.

[valhalla]

And another picture of a crane.

Paul

That was fun to watch...they landed a few minutes ago.

Missed it - I was in a meeting.  Glad they are getting to their distination. 

[gayle]

Ultralight-led Whooping Cranes Arrive at First Wintering Destination in Florida! January 14, 2010
Ten of the 20 “Class of 2009â€� ultralight-led Whooping Cranes arrived yesterday at their wintering grounds at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Wakulla County, Florida.  The other 10 cranes will continue their migration behind Operation Migration’s ultralights to the birds’ final destination at the Chassahowitzka NWR in Citrus County, Florida. 


This is the second year the cranes have wintered at two separate locations.  The decision to split the flock came after the loss in February 2007 of 17 of the 18 Class of 2006 Whooping Cranes in a severe storm at Chassahowitzka NWR.  The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) hopes the two wintering locations will help reduce the risk of another catastrophic loss.
 

[Donna]

Ultralight-led Whooping Cranes Arrive at First Wintering Destination in Florida! January 14, 2010
Ten of the 20 “Class of 2009â€� ultralight-led Whooping Cranes arrived yesterday at their wintering grounds at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Wakulla County, Florida.  The other 10 cranes will continue their migration behind Operation Migration’s ultralights to the birds’ final destination at the Chassahowitzka NWR in Citrus County, Florida. 


This is the second year the cranes have wintered at two separate locations.  The decision to split the flock came after the loss in February 2007 of 17 of the 18 Class of 2006 Whooping Cranes in a severe storm at Chassahowitzka NWR.  The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) hopes the two wintering locations will help reduce the risk of another catastrophic loss.
 

So glad they finally made it....was a rough few months for them.

[valhalla]

Amen!  They finally made it - big applause for all the humans involved 

[Bird Crazy]

 

[MAK]

      Excellent!     

[gayle]

The remaining ten whooping cranes have reached their winter destination.  This account contains some cool photographs!

http://www.savingcranes.org/remainingtenarriveatchassahowitzkanwrjanuary202010.html

Gayle

[Donna]

The remaining ten whooping cranes have reached their winter destination.  This account contains some cool photographs!

http://www.savingcranes.org/remainingtenarriveatchassahowitzkanwrjanuary202010.html

Gayle

I'm so glad it's over...they all made it after a fruitful start. I love how they train them in their Whooper costumes. Great job they all did. Thanks.

[valhalla]

A great effort and I'm so happy that they all made it! 

[gayle]

A health check, banding and transmitter attachments were accomplished on the final ten whooping crane chicks:

http://www.savingcranes.org/chassahowitzkanwrhealthchecksnextstepreleasejanuary262010.html

Gayle