Nesting Research: Hoping for Hatches

Were pesty black flies a cause of some nest failures in 2008 and 2009? Experts are studying this question in hopes of learning more. Photo Richard Urbanek

So far, the new flock has added just one surviving wild chick, a female hatched in 2006 by pair 217 and 211. No wild chicks hatched in 2007, and in 2008 all 11 nests failed. What goes wrong? Starting in summer(2009, a lot of work by a lot of people began in an effort to find out why breeding success has been limited. How are they studying the problem?

• The behavior of all of the nesting pairs will be monitored both on and off the nest.
• Blinds are being set up where unseen observers will watch the nests and birds for most of each day.
• Cameras have been set up to watch the nests.
• Black fly breeding areas have been mapped and carbon dioxide traps have been set up.
• Whooping crane decoys are being set up, and one even has real wings. A pair of Whooping crane wings from the class of 2006 has been sent from Florida and will be fitted to a plastic decoy to determine if black flies are attracted to Whooping crane feathers.

Joe Duff expresses hope: "Whooping cranes are full of surprises. Maybe this could be the year for success!"

• Think about each of the actions listed. Do you think experts are making a wise decision to closely study the Whooping cranes and their nests? What might be some pros? Cons? Explain.
• Read what Operation Migration's Joe Duff said at the end of May, 2009. >> What would you ask Joe?

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