WHOOPER WATCH

The Whooping Crane spring migration starts on the last week of February . The only wild population are on the way to Canada from Texas . Volunteers in Nebraska who want to become “citizen scientists” are urged to become part of The Crane Trust, Inc. Whooper Watch Program. Please join to the team of volunteers that work for the conservation of the rare Whooping Cranes as they migrate north this spring.  We need to fill gaps of information on behavior and needs of the species during this season which is when the highest mortality occurs. We will train volunteers that may help us to focus our attention on potential stopover sites at Blaine , Brown, Buffalo , Cherry, Custer , Furnas, Garfield , Hall, Hamilton , Harlan , Holt , Howard , Kearney , Keya Paha , Lincoln , Loup, Merrick , Nance, Phelps , Rock, Saline, Sherman , Scotts Bluff, Valley and York counties.

This year we are expecting 270 adult cranes that survived last winter in Texas and the new chicks of the year, approximately 39.  The population is increasing slowly, however the contribution of volunteers reporting sightings may accelerate the recovery effort by identifying habitats used by the increasing number of cranes and potential threats during migration.

The Trust develops research on the migration ecology of the species, and based on banded cranes tracked during the last 30 years, confirmed that:

• There is a whooping crane 31 years old (still banded) that continues migrating with his mate stopping in Nebraska, and he has contributed with 24 descendents as part of the wild population. Please protect the specie, DO NOT DISTURBE THESE BIRDS.
• CRANES may stop at the same place during spring and fall migration. Please, check areas used as stopovers in the past, and REPORT SIGHTINGS to USFWS and /or The Platte River Whooping Crane Trust.
• They migrate as extended family group. Every large group of more than 5 individuals can be a family group (parents, children and grand children migrating together). OBSERVATIONS of this behavior are very important for protection of the species and descendents. Please join to the whooper watch team.
• Stopovers used in the past by one of them as juvenile could be visited again by the same bird with its descendents after more than 5 years later. Every area reported at least once represents a very important HABITAT for the species.
• Fall stopovers may last from a few days to two weeks. You could help us during several or few days collecting information on the species.

VERY IMPORTANT TIPS VIEWING WHOOPING CRANE IN THE WILD

• Whooping cranes will likely be on private land. It is imperative that the rights of both the cranes and the landowners are respected. Please give them the respect and distance they need.
• Always view cranes from the road and remain in your vehicle.
• Cranes can be tolerant of vehicles if they are > 0.4 mile or 1,500- 800 feet away from them but become disturbed and usually fly or walk away from vehicles if they are any closer.
• Use a spotting scope or binoculars but do not approach them. Cranes become very disturbed at a walking or standing human figure and will fly away.
• In all cases, please remain well-concealed and do not speak so loudly that the birds can hear you

We reactivated the program Whooper Watch Program, please join this important research to increase the tracking of whooping cranes movement and evaluating habitat usages with your observations.  If you are interested in volunteering for Whooper Watch, please call the Trust weekdays at 308- 384-4633 ext 111, or call the Whooper Watch hotline number 888-399-2824  Dr. Karine Gil   .