Photo Journals! Wintering Whoopers Ultralight-guided Migration   Whooper Happenings Mark Chenoweth's latest audio podcast all about Whooping Cranes! Operation Migration is pleased to provide this link to Whooper Happenings to its website visitors.   Mark Chenoweth, an OM supporter with a long history in broadcast journalism,  developed Whooper Happenings. In addition to OM staffers and WCEP partners, Mark's podcasts include interviews with various experts and lay people on Whooping crane history, husbandry and reintroduction. The comments and opinions expressed on Whooper Happenings are not necessarily those of Operation Migration.

Date: June 1st 2006 Links Reporter: Mark Nipper Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Location: Patuxent Activity: Training Update Notes:  Things are rolling right along at an almost, but not quite, out of control pace. We are coming to the end of our eggs, and in one way at least, I doubt anyone here at Patuxent is too sorry about it. With so many chicks popping out almost all at once, oh boy, do we have our hands full!  The weather has finally turned hot, making it very difficult to get what needs to be done, done. We've now had to go to split shifts so some staff can come in after 4:00pm when it begins to cool down, and the shadows over the Farm Pond start growing. It is the only way to get the birds the exercise they need without causing them to heat stroke.  The chicks themselves are not helping our 'hands full' situation either. #'s 2, 6, and 8 are all highly aggressive and unable to be walked with anyone else, let alone trained. 604 has become increasingly aggressive to 605 so they can no longer be trained together. 603 has also become more aggressive to 601, making training them together very difficult. We tried 605 with numbers 1 and 3 the other day and things went really well. We were encouraged, thinking that we might have a group of three finally, but the next day during training 603 was enraged and lusting for blood.  607 is doing just fine with the trike and on walks to the pond. Numbers 10, 11, 12, and 13 are all doing pretty well following to the pond and at the circle. This bunch are all a bit of trouble though, because they are all scaredy-cats. They follow either very close or very tentatively. (Note: Apologies to our readers on dial-up connections for all the pics that I've been dropping directly into the Field Journal. I know this drastically slows down loading for you and gives you problems. I've only been using this shortcut in the interest of getting photos to you quickly; it takes less of my time too. Today however, Mark sent quite a few photos along with his update, so I will process and post them to the Photo Journal. Bear with me folks, and I will do my best to get them up there before the day is out. Liz) Date: May 31st 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Location: Main Office Activity: Egg/Chick Allocation Notes: Tom Stehn, (Co-chair of the Whooping Crane Recovery Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Whooping Crane Coordinator, Aransas NWR) leads a weekly conference call of the flock managers of all six of the Whooping crane breeding centers around North America . These calls take place during the breeding season so the centers can share information, discuss potential pairings, and allocate eggs for the various reintroduction programs. With the breeding season drawing to a close, the final call was held yesterday. The report below is a synopsis of the telephone meeting. As egg production is essentially finished for the season, the totals below should be close to final numbers. This year's eggs have come from The Audubon Species Survival Center in Louisiana (SSC), the Calgary Zoo in Canada , USGS Patuxent WRC in Maryland, and ICF in Wisconsin, all of which had good production seasons. Calgary literally shot above what their flock had ever produced before. Given that Patuxent could have faced a disastrous season with the February snow storm that damaged nearly all pens, its results are so much better than expected. Tom Stehn commented, "There are some very talented and dedicated people at all the captive facilities that make this happen, for which we should all be grateful." To date, 19 chicks have been hatched for the WCEP project and are destined for ultralight training. One chick (616) has some health problems. Three more eggs are still incubating. In addition, there is one chick, (609) and one egg, that will be genetic holdbacks. At ICF there are 4 chicks hatched for the DAR program. ICF also has 3 fertile eggs, and 4 unknown eggs (3 of which are likely to be fertile). 1 chick, 7 fertile eggs and 1 unknown egg will either be assigned to DAR or held back for genetic purposes. 1 chick and 1 fertile egg are definite genetic holdbacks. The numbers above include 2 eggs that are scheduled to be shipped June 6th from Calgary to ICF, and 3 eggs that were shipped from Patuxent to ICF on May 29th. "It looks like production will fully meet and/or exceed the WCEP egg quotas requested back in February at the Whooping Crane Recovery Meetings," said Tom. "It is inevitable," he added, "that a few chicks will develop health problems, but I think the numbers [given above] anticipate some of those situations." Date: May 31st 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Location: Main Office Activity: Tracking Team Report Tracking Team Update for May 21-26 Distribution at the end of the week:  [* = female] 55 - Wisconsin 6 - Iowa (*501, *508, *509, 512, 514, *519) 3 - Michigan (318, 522, DAR533) Nesting News: 211 and 217 re-nested at their 2005 nest site near the East Rynearson Pool dike and began incubating on May 23rd. Health Concerns: 216’s leg injury appeared significantly improved and his limp was much reduced. As always, thanks to the Tracking Team, and to Kelly Maguire and Sara Zimorski for additional assistance. Thanks to Terry Kohler, Mike Mauer, and Tom Trester (Windway Capital Corporation) for aircraft support. Special thanks and goodbye….. Lara Fondow, former intern and research associate at ICF, leaves this week to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin. For the past four years, Lara has served as Monitoring Crew Chief and primary tracker of the reintroduced eastern migratory whooping crane population. She performed the duties of her demanding position skillfully and professionally. Her dedication and 24/7 commitment to the project’s success cannot be overemphasized. Lara's affiliation with the WCEP project will continue however, through an appointment by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We wish Lara all the very best. She will be missed! Date: May 30th, 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Location: Main Office Activity: Two more chicks! Notes:  We expect a 'real' report from Mark soon, but in the meantime we are tickled to be able to tell you that 19 and 20 have hatched! Below is an updated 'Chick Chart'. (* is genetic holdback.) WCEP Bird # Hatch Date Sex Egg Source 601 5-May M ICF 602 6-May F Necedah 603 7-May F Necedah 604 8-May F Calgary 605 9-May F PWRC 606 11-May M PWRC 607 13-May M ICF 608 13-May F PWRC *NA 14-May UK PWRC 610 14-May M PWRC 611 18-May F Audubon 612 18-May M ICF 613 19-May UK ICF 614 20-May UK Calgary 615 21-May UK PWRC 616 23-May UK PWRC 617 25-May UK PWRC 618 27-May UK Calgary 619 28-May UK Calgary 620 28-May UK Calgary Date: May 27th, 2006 Links Reporter: Mark Nipper Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Location: Patuxent Activity: More hatches Notes:  As of today there are 18 chicks hatched; #17 from a PWRC egg and #18 from an egg received from Canada's Calgary Zoo. #16 is still of special concern with some serious health problems. The rest are healthy and doing well. Training and socialization are progressing. We have begun taking chicks out to the White Series pens (see explanation below). We recently received the sexes for numbers 1 through 12, except for #9 whose results were incomplete (see chick list in previous journal entry). So far we have a good balance of females. #1 and 3 are getting along well together. They are training for 15 to 20 minutes and doing fairly well with the trike. #3 is still rather distracted, but so far it is not hindering #1. #4 and 5 were a good group, but #4 is becoming more aggressive. So long as they both keep moving, they are alright. Hopefully it will stay that way if not get better. The rest of the chicks are still training and walking separately. #2 is remains highly aggressive and is a pain in the butt to train (see photo in tub). She follows for a couple minutes then turns crazy. She will see something that scares her to death and start running and screaming, then she suddenly spots something that looks interesting and just wanders off like nothing ever happened. #8 is turning out to be very similar (see pics). She too is highly aggressive; tries to kill #7 through the fence all day long. This bird is usually distracted and hard to train or walk. Thankfully, the rest of the little guys are all walking and training pretty well. The big breakthrough yesterday was getting birds out to the White Series pens for the first time. There are multiple sets of pens at PWRC, most named after colors. The White Series (WS) is where the WCEP chicks go live when they get older. Yesterday we walked three birds out there and let them hang out next to each other. #1 and 3 went to one pen, while #2 came out and hung out next door. Then #4 and 5 went out with #6 next door. We take them out to the pens at the same time so they can get used to seeing each other through the fence as well as all the commotion that will be involved. All it all it went very well. We will continue to walk them out there briefly until they have acclimated enough for us to try leaving them out over night. Date: May 26th, 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Location: Main Office Activity: Chick Chart We have a total of 16 chicks now. Mark advises that the most recently hatched chick, 616, is small and underweight, and that the crew is concerned.  For those of you keeping track, here is Mark's updated chart. WCEP Bird # Hatch Date Sex Egg Source 601 5-May M ICF 602 6-May F Necedah 603 7-May F Necedah 604 8-May F Calgary 605 9-May F PWRC 606 11-May M PWRC 607 13-May M ICF 608 13-May F PWRC *NA 14-May UK PWRC 610 14-May M PWRC 611 18-May F Audubon 612 18-May M ICF 613 19-May UK ICF 614 20-May UK Calgary 615 21-May UK PWRC 616 23-May UK PWRC Date: May 25th, 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Location: Main Office Activity: Crossing the species line At the end of his update yesterday, (see below) Joe talked about cross-species synergy. Hmmm, I wonder what one would call this species? Mickey McCrane? Think the job must be getting to this poor soul? She's seems to be engaged in a serious conversation with a recycle bin and a duck. Date: May 24th, 2006 Links Reporter: Joe Duff Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Location: Main Office Activity: Disney and IMBD Notes:  Apart from the founding organizations of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership there are several agencies and people who have been involved with this project from the beginning. Time flies when you are having fun, or too busy to notice, but it's hard to believe that we have known the people at The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund for over 5 years. In that time they have donated over $100,000 to OM , and become one of our biggest single contributors. In addition to financial support, they have offered advice and guided us over a steep fundraising learning curve. When the Project Direction Team decided we needed to short-stop birds at the Halpata Tastanaki site near Dunellen Florida , a new pen was needed. Many of the Disney staff volunteered their time to wade knee deep in oozing mud to help with its construction. Now we have a place to hold the birds temporarily, or, a new winter home depending on the needs of the Monitoring Team. With 64 birds migrating to Florida and more being added every season, the responsibility for their health care has become a substantial commitment. Marilyn Spalding, DVM of the University of Florida , has been providing this service on a volunteer basis since the beginning. She also provides health care for the non-migratory flock. With the odd injury or infection, this job has been manageable, but as the numbers grow, so do the cases that need veterinary attention. Like any responsible scientist, Marilyn was concerned that a time would come when she couldn't provide adequate care. The dedicated staff at Disney again stepped forward and offered veterinary services for any of our injured or sick birds in the Florida area. This past Saturday (May 13th) was International Migratory Bird Day and our friends at Disney asked us to display our aircraft at Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom Park. It meant a 27 hour drive pulling the long aircraft trailer, but the chance to visit with our friends and gain invaluable exposure was too good to resist. We needed to deliver a spare training aircraft to Patuxent in Maryland and another one to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington , so we made the trip a multi-purpose one. Disney's Zoological Manager, Scott Tidmus, was very obliging. Besides assisting with setting up our display - including our two aircraft, he also arranged accommodation for Liz, Brooke, and I at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Animal Kingdom has a lot to offer, and visitors to the park wouldn't normally see the Lodge unless they are a guest there. But it is so amazing it really should be part of the tour. The building itself is spectacular, with authentic African design and artefacts. From its real thatched roof to the genuine museum quality pieces on display, the entire place is an incredible work of art. The Lodge itself backs on to the savannah, and from your room you can watch giraffes and zebras feeding or strolling by. On Friday we had a chance to present our project to interested Disney cast members at a 'Brown Bag lunch'. We also had an opportunity to visit with ex-OM'er John Thomton. John worked with us last year at Patuxent and Necedah and then accepted a job with Disney before we left on the migration - a point we often mention with tongue in cheek.  Linda Walker (representing Florida US Fish and Wildlife Service) and her husband Hal joined Liz, Brook and I, and everyone spent a beautiful, sunny, 91 degree Saturday answering questions, promoting the project, and meeting conservation minded people. Our display and aircraft were framed by blooming hibiscus, palm trees and the gigantic animal motif floating over the entrance to Conservation Station. The support and encouragement we have received from Disney on so many levels has helped make this project the success it is. It's a classic example of cross-species synergy; a little mouse helping out an endangered bird.      Date: May 23rd, 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Position Opening!   Supervisor of Field Operations. Location: Main Office Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Activity: FNMP update Notes:  There's lots of news today. In addition to a new report from the tracking team (posted below), we just received an update on the Florida Non-Migratory Population from Marty Folk. Our last nest, #12, hatched!  It is possible, but unlikely, that we'll see re-nests or new nests at this time, nonetheless, it has been a record-setting breeding season. Season Totals (* ties a record, **breaks a record) 12 pairs nested * 12 nests were initiated   7 nests hatched **   7 pairs hatched at least 1 chick **   9 chicks hatched **   6 chicks survived   5 nests failed   7 un-hatched eggs were collected [2 fertile, 2 not fertile, 2 probably not fertile, 1 is pending exam] Since my last update, the northern part of the Whooper range got 1 - 2 inches of rain. Further south there was less than an inch. We have a lot of catching up to do, as far as rain is concerned.  Our oldest chicks are approaching the size of their parents! The photo (left) below by Kathy Chappell shows the size of one chick in relation to its mother as they forage in a field. The chicks are also exercising their wings in preparation for flight (see photo by Jeannette Parker of a family in a marsh) and may become airborne any day now.   Date: May 23rd, 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Position Opening!   Supervisor of Field Operations. Location: Main Office Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Activity: Tracking Team report for the week of May 14th to 20th. Notes:  Estimated distribution at the end of the week was: Wisconsin 50, Iowa 11, and Michigan 3. (F=female) No new nests or re-nests were recorded. F202 was occasionally observed sitting on a nest at Site 4 while 101 foraged elsewhere, but apparently no eggs were laid. 516 was retrieved from Michigan and released on Necedah NWR. Retrieval of 522 was also attempted but was unsuccessful. According to PTT readings, DAR 533 remained in Barry County, Michigan. 318 was found at his yearling summering area in Oceana County , Michigan. 216's leg injury appeared slightly improved. His former mate, 303 was closely associating with 408 at Goose Pool on the refuge by the end of the week. PTT readings indicated that F508 ranged widely across northern Iowa during the week. She and F501, 509, 512, 514 and F519 had last been recorded in La Crosse County , WI . No visuals were reported from Iowa to confirm that the group remained intact. F502, 5033, 505, 506, and F507 remained in Winnebago County , IOWA . Thanks to the Tracking Team, Lara Fondow, Chris Malachowski, and Richard Urbanek for their usual great report, and also to Kelly Maguire for additional tracking assistance. A big thank you goes to Terry Kohler, Mike Frakes, Charles Koehler, Mike Mauer, and Stu Walker (Windway Capital Corporation), Sara Zimorski (ICF), and Richard Vanhuevelen (OM) for bird retrieval.   Date: May 21st, 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Position Opening!   Supervisor of Field Operations. Location: Main Office Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Activity: Aransas/Wood Buffalo Flock   Notes:  Still playing catch up after our whirl-wind trip. (More on the trip in the next posting.) Below is Tom Stehn's latest report from USFWS, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. On his most recent aerial census of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas (conducted on May 18th), Tom Stehn reported 5 sub-adults still present. Tom said he was surprised that only one more Whooping crane had initiated migration over the past two weeks. He noted that it was possible that the 5 remaining birds would still migrate, however, he said it was also possible that one or more could over-summer at Aransas. "The cranes all showed a considerable amount of brown-tinged body feathers, indicative of old, worn-out feathers that will be replaced in the next molt, said Tom. "Compared to the beautiful snow-white plumage of an adult Whooper, these cranes are so dingy-colored that they are almost a disgrace." Date: May 21st, 2006 Links Reporter: Mark Nipper Position Opening!   Supervisor of Field Operations. Location: Patuxent Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Activity: Early Training   Notes:  Training is progressing, socializing has begun, and there are still more mouths hatching every day. 611 and 612 hatched May 18 (both from PWRC birds) 613 hatched May 19 (ICF) 614 hatched May 20 (PWRC 615 hatched May 21 (PWRC Yesterday we began to walk the birds together.  #1, 2, and 3 went for a walk together, and then #4 and 5.   To do this we bring the birds out one at a time and meet in a neutral area. Then, as the birds come together, we try to keep moving at first so the birds don't have a chance to get too interested in each other. After a while we stop and let them get to know each other. It is good to do this in an open area with plenty of room for them to get away. We will also go to the pond since there are lots of things to distract them from trying to harm one another. If everything goes well we will walk them together for a few days, then try training them together. In the first group (see pic) it was obvious right away that #2 was going to be trouble. This chick is the biggest of the whole flock so far, outweighing #1 and 3 by a good amount. While #1 and 3 were being very amiable towards each other, they were also running from #2 at the slightest glance. We separated out #2 and walked away with #1 and 3. After we were out of sight, #2 was led back to the Propagation building. #1 and 3 spent another ten minutes or so together and got along just fine. They are both a little afraid of each other. Today we walked these two again and they did great. This could make for either a good or bad training group however. #1 is an expert in the circle pen while #3 doesn't pay hardly any attention. #1 could help #3 to pay attention better, or #3 could distract #1 - we will just have to try and see what happens. #2 will have to be exercised/trained alone but will continue to be housed next to the others. Hopefully some of the aggression will be settled through the fence. If the other two become more of a group, then #2 may have less of an impact. This chick is still scared but is training better and is following well now. #4 and 5 did pretty good together their first time. #4 was mildly aggressive a few times but it was never too serious. #5 pretty much just ignored the other bird and was looking for treats. They were walked again today and were great. This duo should make for a good training pair. #4 is pretty scared and distracted some, but stills follows. #5 has jumped right into training with no trouble. The first time we started the trike it had little to no reaction and was able to do a few laps. Usually we just run the engine a few minutes then try moving the plane the next day. Date: May 19th, 2006 Links Reporter: Mark Nipper Position Opening!   Supervisor of Field Operations. Location: Patuxent Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Activity: News Round-up # 3   Notes:  The circle pen is a 25' diameter circle of 2 foot tall vinyl coated fencing. There is another smaller circle of fencing in the center. The chicks go on the inside and the trike on the outside. There is a ring of sand around the inside of the circle to give the chicks a smooth place to run and an easy place to give them mealworms. The inner circle is there to keep the chicks closer to the outside fence and therefore the trike. They learn very quickly that it is easier to run through the middle. Date: May 19th, 2006 Links Reporter: Mark Nipper Position Opening!   Supervisor of Field Operations. Location: Patuxent Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Activity: News Round-up # 2   Notes:  (Received from Mark today) 611 and 612 hatched out yesterday (May 18th). 511 came from the ACRES Audubon Center in Louisiana ; 612 from ICF. Late last night we received six more eggs from the Calgary Zoo. So much for a slow year. Chicks 601 - 605 are going out to the circle pen with the trike601 is doing great with laps. 602 is still a little nervous. 603 is easily distracted and a bit crazy. 604 and 605 are both still rather scared but have been gradually calming down. 607 - 610 have started to go outside, and were out for their first big walk on Saturday. 606 - 610 have all started to better maintain weight and hydration through the day. At around five days old the chicks get to make their first trip outdoors. On nice days, we open their doors to outside and lead them into the runs behind their pens. The runs are about 4-5' wide by 20' long. As soon as the chicks are eating well on their own, we set their food outside to encourage them to get out and get some exercise. Up until now they have only eaten grain out of a bowl with the puppet. They need to know to forage for food on the ground. While outside the chicks learn to eat mealworms too. The puppet will pick up a worm and get the chick to eat it. Then some are put on the ground and usually the chick will start pecking at them right away. The birds' ability to quickly spot and pick up treats is essential to the training process. Once they are 10 days old the chicks receive a footbath tub for extra water. They can get in it to cool off on warm days. Hopefully things will soon get caught up enough around here to write field journal entries more often. Date: May 19th, 2006 Links Reporter: Liz Condie Position Opening!   Supervisor of Field Operations. Location: Main Office Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Activity: News Round-up # 1   Notes:  Our apologies for the gap in field journal postings folks, but neither Joe nor I could get an internet connection for the past few days. Below are Mark's two latest updates. Sunday, May 14 We have nine mouths to feed now.  606 hatched May 11 607 hatched May 13 608 hatched May 13 609 hatched May 14 (genetically valuable and will be held at PWRC) These four little guys are looking okay so far. The three newest are still too sleepy and wobbly to do much. 601 - 605 are going outside now for walks. 601 - 603 are training with the trike.  Yesterday, (May 13) the chicks got their first taste of the trike moving around the circle. This usually isn't too big of an ordeal once they become used to the engine being started. 601 was able to do 5 minutes worth of laps right away. 602 is doing alright, but is still scared when the plane fires up. 603 is calm most of the time, but is still a little skittish.  These three chicks are all gaining weight very well and are even getting too fat. When the chicks gain weight too quickly their legs can't grow fast enough to support the weight properly and it causes them to grow incorrectly. This is why the chicks are exercised so much with training, walks, and swimming. Monday, May 15 Angie Maxted was at Patuxent on May 15 to give a talk and she stayed for a visit. She helped out quite a bit with the chicks and was acting vet for a couple days. These are pics of our walk with 602 to the circle pen and foraging pond. Date: May 14th, 2006 Links Reporter: Joe Duff Position Opening!   Supervisor of Field Operations. Location: Disney's Animal Kingdom Orlando, Florida Spring 2006 Photo Journal. Activity: Hatch Update   Notes:  This is the time of the breeding season when we wait with baited breath to hear how many birds we will have to work with for the year. The snow storm at Patuxent that caused damage to the pens delayed the breeding, and we are a few weeks behind. Not all of the eggs that are laid are viable, and some of the chicks that hatch may be held back to replenish the captive flock. It all depends on how many chicks hatch, when they hatch, and who their parents are. As the season unfolds, the flock managers from all the breeding centers telephone conference weekly with the chair of the Whooping Crane Recovery Team, and the decisions are made one chick at a time. Production at the International Crane Foundation is up this year, and the Calgary Zoo in Canada has sent several eggs to Patuxent for addition to the WCEP flock. As of the moment, we have 6 chicks hatched, two that will hatch in the next few hours, and a bunch of possibilities. So it's a waiting game, but the season that we thought could be a bust, may just be a bumper year. It is hard to believe it's all about to begin again. Where did the year go? Happy Mother's Day! (International Migratory Bird Day at Disney's Animal Kingdom was fantastic!! We will tell you more in future journal entries.) Mark Nipper sent along some photos for us to post, but as usual, being on the road is causing us some connection and email issues. Below are some of the photos we've managed to access. Hopefully we will be able to share more with you soon. To View Past Field Journals Please Visit our Site Map Home | Our Work | Get Involved | In the Field Merchandise | Links | Contact Us ©1994-2006 Operation Migration Inc.™ & Operation Migration - USA.™ Not to be reproduced for purposes, public or private without written consent. To obtain consent please visit the Contact Us page.

Click here to sign the guestbook Please help us get the 2006 generation of Whooping crane chicks to Florida. Click here to become a MileMaker sponsor!