Weather slows down annual crane migration

The birds are about halfway to Marion County.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT, Times Staff Writer
Published November 24, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Ron Thompson | Times] Operation Migration pilot Brooke Pennybacker waves as he flies over watchers in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

CHASSAHOWITZKA - After enduring a tough migration in 2006, the team leading whooping cranes from Wisconsin to their winter homes in Central Florida were hoping for a quicker trip this year.

But with less than half of the 1,200 miles covered so far, it is looking like the endangered birds' arrival is still be a couple of weeks away. On Wednesday, the flock was still waiting out inclement weather in Jackson City, Ind. They finally were able to take off Friday morning and head for Kentucky.

Those involved say whatever the timing, the project to teach the young birds their migration route must be completed. The goal ultimately is to reintroduce a migratory flock of the rare birds to the EasternUnited States.

"Our job is to get them there," said Liz Condie of Operation Migration, the agency charged with conducting the ultralight-led migration.

Last year, the cranes comprising the "Class of 2006" didn't make it to their temporary stopover in Marion County until Dec. 19, the longest migration since the project began in 2001. Several weeks later, they were led to their final winter destination, the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, near the Hernando-Citrus county border.

Just weeks after that, 17 of the 18 birds in that group were killed at Chassahowitzka by a freak storm. A lightning strike followed by flooding claimed the birds, which were housed in a top-netted pen in a remote section of the refuge.

The final member of the Class of 2006 died later in the season.

The numerous public and private entities that make up the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership examined the event to determine how to avoid such a tragedy in the future.

Discussion continues about moving the final destination of the rare birds to a site other than Chassahowitzka, possibly the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in the Panhandle, but those talks were ongoing before last year's events, said Jim Kraus, manager of the refuge at Chassahowitzka.

Expect same pattern

This year's migration conclusion is expected to mirror what has taken place the past several years. A flyover event will be planned at the Dunnellon Airport, which is near the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, where the birds have a temporary stopover.

The young cranes stay there until all the adult cranes from previous migrations vacate the pen site in Chassahowitzka. Once that happens, the ultralights crank up again and coax the birds to complete the last 26 miles of their winter migration.

Interference by the older birds, who come back to Chassahowitzka looking for a free meal, is part of why the crane reintroduction partnership representatives are discussing a new final destination.

In preparation for the arrival of the 17-member Class of 2007, the local refuge staff has been preparing the pen site, flattening the tall vegetation and fixing up the fencing, Kraus said.

No big changes are planned for the site but, in light of last year's tragic outcome, the crane caregivers will be using some different supervisory protocols and some additional weather checks, he said.

Condie said the early stages of this year's migration were slow-going due to weather. "We're moving along now, and I hope we can keep up the momentum," she said.

While along the route team members now and then have heard someone mention last year's catastrophic loss, Condie said they are keeping focused on the future.

"Most people like us have moved on. You just reach a point where you can't grieve anymore," she said. "We've got 17 rambunctious youngsters that we've got to concentrate on."

In addition to the ultralight-led crane flock, another 10 young cranes hatched this year were picked to be part of this year's direct autumn release of cranes. Those were released in Wisconsin near the older cranes from previous migrations in hopes they would learn the migration route from their elders.

Within days of their release, three of the birds had been killed. One was taken by a predator. Another was hit by a small jet at a nearby airport. The third died after hitting a power line.

Despite those losses and the terrible loss last year of an entire year's work, Kraus said those who staff the reintroduction project need to understand that their effort still is an overall success. Losses are a part of every reintroduction.

"Sad as it might be, especially given the attention that is given to each one of these birds, it's to be expected," Kraus said. "With experimental populations, there are always going to be all kinds of variables. ...Given how long we've been involved with this one, it's been a tremendous success."

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or 352 848-1434.

Fast facts

Go to crane central

For daily updates on the progress of the cranes, check out www.operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html or call the whooping crane hotline at (904) 232-2580, ext. 124.

[Last modified November 23, 2007, 20:44:35]