Journey North Whooping Cranes Spring 2007

Whooping Crane Migration Update: February 27, 2009

Today's Report Includes:

Where Are They Now? Map >>

News: Reports From the Field >>

Journal Question: What Must Chicks Learn from Parents? >>

Coming Soon: Track the Migration! >>

Links: This Week's Crane Resources >>

Which St. Marks crane-kid loves the costume and hates going to bed? >>
Photo Mark Chenoweth

Where Are They Now?

Most of the cranes remain at their previous locations, but three birds have already begun their spring migration north! An unidentified Whooping crane was reported in Barren County, Kentucky on February 16. Two separate Whooping cranes were reported in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 22. One is believed to be #527, but the identity of the others remains a mystery. Last year three of the older "ultra-cranes" began flying northward on Feb. 26. It's early yet, but the older birds may be getting restless. For some of them, the journey north will soon begin!

Meanwhile, the 266 wild Whooping cranes of Western flock are trying to find enough to eat and drink on their drought-stricken wintering grounds in Texas. Read on for more:

In which states are the Eastern flock's Whooping cranes now?

News: Reports from the Field

Western Flock News>>
When do chicks usually leave their parents? Why is it so important for juveniles to stay with their parents for a year?

Who is This? >>

This Chass juvenile loves to jump and dance. But last week he had to go hide to do it. Why?

Eastern Flock News>>
How are the juveniles changing? What mischief are they up to? Swamp Monster and Bev report from St. Marks. Tracker Sara sends photos and news from Chass.

In Texas with the Western (natural) flock, Tom Stehn tells status and stories of the whoopers he's observed for over 30 years. In Florida watching over the Class of 2008 are Sara, Eva, Brooke and Bev. They share photos, crane mischief, and news from the two release sites.

Journal Question: What Must Chicks Learn from Parents?

Slide Show: Whooping Crane Kids: Learning Life's Lessons >>

You learned some true stories about young cranes in Tom Stehn's report this week. He said, "It is so much better when whooping crane juveniles stay with their parents for one full year."

Why is it best for wild juvenile cranes to stay with Mom and Dad until they return to the nesting grounds in spring?

Write at least two reasons, with examples or evidence, in your Journey North Whooping Crane Journal. >>

Tom Stehn promised you some good news, too. Meet a crane to celebrate! >>

Coming Soon: Track the Migration

	With the help of trackers' reports , you'll see the migration progress of both flocks — ALL the world's migratory Whooping cranes — live on our MapServer starting in March.
Click for migration animation >>		Click for migration animation >>

This Week's Crane Resources

Slide Show: Whooping Crane Kids: Learning Life's Lessons >>
Lesson: What is Roosting? >>
Case Story: Lone Nebraska Juvenile: A Happy Prediction >>
Case Story: Mohawk's Story: Fate Unknown >>
Slide Show: Scarbaby's Triumph >>
Brooke's Field Journal Entry: Swamp Monster's Bedtime Story >>
Bev's Field Journal Entry: The "Harley Leg" >>
Listening: How Does a Whooping Crane Sound? >>
Meet Student Craniacs: Classrooms in Action >>
Teachers: Getting Started >>

More Whooping Crane Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Whooping Crane Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 6, 2009.