Date: April 30 2007 - Entry 4 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Now pipped – soon to be peeping Location: Main Office Bev called to report that 3 eggs in the incubator have pipped. One chick has already pecked away enough shell that it is visible and Bev expects it to hatch out very soon. "The other two chicks shouldn't be far behind," she said, "a day or two at most." In addition to these three, they expect two more hatches by the end of the week so the chick crew will soon be hopping. Bev promised to send along some photos with her next update. Date: April 30 2007 - Entry 3 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Demise of 615 Location: Main Office It is with immense sadness we report that 615, the only surviving member of the Class of 2006, was found dead by Mary Barnwell (Southwest Florida Water Management District) earlier today. Mary had been tracking him on the ground. 615 was found in the area he usually frequented on the Halpata-Tastanaki Preserve. There were no apparent signs of predation and no obvious clues as to the cause of his death. This afternoon, the carcass will be sent to Dr. Marilyn Spaulding at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine for necropsy. We will post the results once they are received. Date: April 30 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: New auction items on offer Location: Main Office OM's eBay auctions will continue through the month of May. We've already been able to provide you with some interesting items, and we've got more for May. To see what's new on the auction block, click OM's eBay auction. Date: April 30 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Whooper-Thon and Bird-A-Thon Location: Main Office Whooper-Thon Birder and long time supporter, Vi White of Illinois, is conducting her own personal 'Whooperthon' and this year has selected OM as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts. Each year, Vi picks a day when the weather is good and goes out birding as much as possible in a 24-hour period. She asks friends to pledge a lump sum or an amount per species (she says she usually spots between 30 and 40). Through the generosity of another supporter, every pledge will be matched dollar for dollar. If you would like to make a pledge in support of Vi's 'Whooperthon', simply email the amount of your pledge (per species or lump sum) along with your name and mailing address to info@operationmigration.org and we will forward it along. Vi will email ‘pledgers’ her bird count, collect the checks (made out to Operation Migration) and she will send them along to us in a bundle so we can issue tax deductible receipts. Deadline for Whooperthon pledges is May 10. Bird-A-Thon Every spring, Richard Schinkel, an enthusiastic birder from Berrien County, Michigan, gathers with his team and takes part in the Southwest Michigan Team Bird-a-Thon. This is likely the second largest team birding event in the US, and attracts 20 or more groups who regularly see 135 species in one day. Richard's team, including Chuck Witkoske, Jan Osborn and Carolyn Henning, call themselves the 'Whitethroats and Whoopers'. They are generously donating all their pledges this year to Operation Migration to help save Whooping cranes. If you would like to support the "Whitethroats and Whoopers" by making a pledge, call Richard at 269-471-2953 or, email him at whitethroa@aol.com. If you are interested in organizing your own team check out the flyer below. Date: April 26 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Joe Duff Subject: Power of Partnership Location: Main Office Tom Stehn is the Whooping Crane coordinator at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. He also represents the Whooping Crane Recovery Team as the co-chair and has the final say on what happens with Whooping cranes in the United States. Marty Folk is with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and is the coordinator for the Florida Non-migratory flock. On April 11th Marty and his team found a new Whooping crane nest on the shores of Lake Kissimmee that contained two eggs. Unfortunately it was very close to two airboat trails with lots of traffic.  There was an obvious risk to the eggs and also to the incubating birds as much of the traffic takes place after dark when they are less able to avoid airboat strikes.  The team decided to pull the eggs in a attempt to save them but also to encourage the adults to move to a safer location. Geneticist, Ken Jones felt the eggs were genetically valuable and they were moved to a waiting incubator at the Disney Animal Kingdom.  There were no other nests in Florida in which the eggs could be cross fostered so Marty, Tom and John French from USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center formulated a plan. Tomorrow (April 27) the eggs will be flown Patuxent to become part of the ultralight cohort. Now that’s the power of partnership. Date: April 26 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Activity at PWRC (Video link below) Location: PWRC Things have been very busy here at PWRC. Building preparations continue and chicks still need to be tended to hourly. Because the water system constantly breaks down requiring the staff to hand carry water to the entire captive flock, it is undergoing a revamp. Not to mention PWRC staff’s four daily egg checks, artificial insemination procedures, and egg swapping. All this makes for steady activity with hardly a chance to sit throughout the day. On Tuesday evening Brooke and I also gave a presentation to a Civil Air Patrol Cadet squadron. It made for a long day, but it is always worth the late nights if it means spreading the gospel of crane conservation. Wednesday was one of those days that actually allowed for a breather however. After mowing (again) and placing sand in the circle pen, the fun started. This was going to be the first scheduled socialization period for 702 and his Sandhill buddy (aka FSHC 01). Socialization is a closely supervised activity. Three of us handlers walked the two chicks out to the farm pond to let them not only get used to walking and foraging, but to become accustomed to being with another chick. Things went well on the walk out with the little ones peeping away and running for all they were worth with their tiny wings outstretched. 702’s peeping alerted a nearby Canada goose gander who thought perhaps he had a gosling escaping his nest so decided it had to be rounded up and protected from the large white creatures. Needless to say 702 did not like the large waterfowl rushing after him and it took cover in long grass. Brian Clauss chased the goose off while Barb Clauss sat and calmed the chick. In the mean time, I stayed with the Sandhill who acted as if nothing were amiss. This chick is definitely more carefree than his training buddy. When the two chicks finally discovered each other, I held my breath as I braced for a fight. But all was well. The worst that happened was 702 shied away and the Sandhill found something else to do. Such is the attention span of a week old chick. There is always something more interesting to do. After their walk to the pond, we lured them into the circle pen for a couple of laps following the puppet, then it was back into their pens for a much needed rest. A full first day of new sights, sounds and activities. Today's activities will include swimming if the weather allows. Almost as good as a cruise! To watch a video clip of 702, click here. View the photos here in the 2007 Spring photo journal. Date: April 24 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Activity at PWRC Location: PWRC The days continue here on a very hectic pace. Still trying to finish all the equipment and building preparations while fitting in hourly feedings on the two chicks. Luckily, there are only two rather than the whole propagation building being full. 702 is growing, albeit very slowly. It is a source of constant worry. 702 was what we call an assisted hatch. That means that it didn’t have the strength to get itself out of the shell and the handler had help by pulling away sections of the shell. As a general rule, when a chick needs assistance in hatching, that bird starts out weaker than a self-hatched chick would be. Such chicks are usually slower to develop,  tend not to gain weight, and can have other health issues as well. Watching 702 grow alongside the Sandhill chick is a great illustration of this. The Sandhill is taller, stronger, eats and drinks better, and is generally more active. Little 702 has had to get extra fluids by injection, and has been tube fed to help with weight gain. We keep a constant vigil on this little one and weigh it several times a day. As with any warm blooded creature, there will be weight fluctuations throughout the day, with a slight weight loss overnight. There are acceptable limits to this, however, and when these limits are exceeded, there is cause for alarm. We are keeping extra watch on this, with extra feedings scheduled. So far, so good. 702 is definitely a fighter and very independent. When we are in the pen “working” it, it drinks when it wants to, not when we try to get it to drink. It eats well and, when we are not in the pen, will drink on its own, too. Keep fighting, little one, and don’t make all your mommas worry so much! View the photos here in the 2007 Spring photo journal. Date: April 24 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Eastern Migratory Population Update Location: Main Office This update was compiled from data provided by the Tracking and Monitoring Team consisting of Tally Love, Stacy Kerley (ICF), and Richard Urbanek (USF&WS). This week thanks for tracking assistance go to Windway Aviation and pilot Mike Frakes, Mary Barnwell (Southwest Florida Water Management District), Jeannette Parker (Florida FWCC), and Glenn Klingler (USDA Forest Service). In the highlights below, * = female; DAR = direct autumn release; NFT = non functional transmitter. Estimated size of the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP) is 59 individuals, 34 males and 25 females. Three birds are unaccounted for, 202*, 415* 524. Florida: 509 – Lake County; 516 - Marion County; 523 – Levy County; 615 remained in Marion County or the vicinity. His radio signal was detected during an aerial survey April 21 but not during a ground search April 23. Tennessee: DAR627 – Campbell County New York: 309* - Lewis County Michigan: 318, 533* – Oceana County REPRODUCTION 217* and 211: The First Family parents continued incubating normally until 20 April when both birds left the nest on several occasions for short periods. 217* returned at dusk and incubated during the night but they discontinued incubation the following morning. Just minutes before they were to be collected, the remains of the two eggs were discovered. The predator which destroyed the eggs was not visible on surveillance videotape. 209* and 416: Their Monroe County nest was found abandoned April 21 with one broken (fertile) and one intact egg. The intact egg was sent to ICF for incubation. 218* and 213: Began incubating between Site 2 and Rice Pool April 16. The morning of April 20 the incubating parent left the nest and did not return. The single egg was collected and sent ICF for incubation. 303* and 317: Began incubation on April 19 but abandoned their nest on April 21. The nest was found on an aerial survey, but difficult to access on the ground. All four of the nest desertions occurred during the same short period of time and appeared associated with a surge of warm weather on 20 and 21 April. Noteable 508* and 401 were found together April 19 in Wood County on an aerial survey. 401 had not been located since March 23. 508* had apparently been in this area for several weeks. DAR628 left Indiana April 17 and was detected in flight in south central Wisconsin on the 19th. On the 20th he roosted in Olmsted County, MN but returned to WI the 21st and roosted on the Necedah NWR with 307 and W601 on April 23. View the photos here in the 2007 Spring photo journal. Date: April 21 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Wood Buffalo-Aransas Update Location: Main Office On his aerial census of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas April 19th, Tom Stehn, flying with Gary Ritchey of Air Logistic Solutions out of San Antonio, Texas, reported only 7 adult Whooping cranes were found. "All but 7 of the 237 whooping cranes have started the migration from Aransas," said Tom, "an estimated 65 birds having started migration since my last flight on April 10th." While some have already reached southern Canada, sightings in the migration corridor indicate that there are Whooping cranes spread out across North America. Tom reported that all the juveniles have departed Aransas, including the 'twin' juveniles that had stayed behind when their parents had migrated. He said that he believes all the cranes remaining at Aransas are sub-adults, or non-breeders. "As these birds won’t pair up and nest in 2007, they do not feel the same urgency to pack their bags and leave the food-rich marshes of Aransas and face the long, hazardous trip north." Stehn speculated that, "Three of the birds still at Aransas may be the cranes that failed to migrate north in 2006 and spent all summer at Aransas. One of the three suffered a severe injury as a juvenile in April, 2004 when it was presumably either bitten by a poisonous snake or was hit in the head with the talons of a raptor. It did not eat for up to 10 days and spent lots of time sitting down in the marsh, something cranes rarely ever do. This crane got better and Tom says it appears to be fine now, but that somehow it seems to have had the urge to migrate knocked out of it." "I think this bird is a male," said Tom, and I wonder what will happen when it gets a mate and the mate is in the habit of migrating. Who will the win the discussion about should we stay or should we head north for the summer?" April 18 the total flock size was revised down by one bird when a dead Whooping crane was found in a farm field in North Dakota. The cause of death was unknown, but it appeared to have a broken neck. The carcass has been shipped to wildlife health experts to see if they can figure out what happened. From photos sent to him, Tom was able to identify the bird as r-Y, a 23 year old male crane hatched in 1983. Date: April 20, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Bev Subject: Announcing - First chick in the Class of 2007 hatched!! Location: PWRC Well, here I am, back at Patuxent after having been back in Florida to collect my home on wheels as well as my two beloved feline companions. (Oh, yeah, Brooke, too!) After spending two days on the road on the return trip, we arrived to the best possible kind of news. A Whooper chick had hatched on Wednesday afternoon! The first of the class of 2007 whom I have named 'Hope' (against all protocols, rules of decency and scientific detachment). I know it is clichéd, but I couldn’t help myself. It will really be called 702. (701 was its fellow chick from San Antonio that didn’t make it.) I thought after the events of February, that I would be an emotional wreck when I saw the first fuzzy brown chick. And I was. But it wasn’t the emotions I thought I would have. Instead of left over grief for the 17, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy. A huge grin was plastered on my face, and yes, my eyes did tear up a bit. Like every new mother, I just know that this is the cutest, the smartest Whooping Crane chick that has ever hatched. This is the one that will be the true leader of the class of 2007, so skilled will it be following the trike. It will teach its fellow cohort members the right way to follow, the right way to fly formation, the right way to enter the pen (with no encouragement whatsoever, of course!) Okay, I guess its time to come back to reality. It is an awfully cute little fellow/gal though. Right now, as is done with most of the chicks, its toes are taped to ensure they grow straight, so it looks especially cute - in a Forrest Gump-ish sort of way. Due to the fact that this bird is going to be fully two weeks older than any of its other classmates, we are raising it with a Sandhill Crane chick. Since 702 has no other Whooping crane chicks to socialize with, we had to provide a play mate, if you will. But 702 won’t grow up confused. It still is played the Whooper brood call; we are still dressed in white; and there is still an adult Whooping crane penned right next to it to ensure proper sexual imprinting. It is the little Sandhill that will grow up confused! But a mighty sacrifice it is making to ensure proper socialization of a very endangered species. Something it can brag to its grandchicks about - his contribution to saving the Whooping Crane! Raising it with a chick its own age is important from a socialization standpoint. As you all know, chicks are highly competitive and actually try to out compete each other for food and attention. This can involve some pretty nasty behavior, and in the wild can, and quite often does, end up in one chick killing the other. When 702 is finally introduced to the much younger Whoopers, it will already know how to play nice and share. A novel way of socializing, but there is no reason it won’t work. These two chicks, who look similar, but do have differences, will just keep thinking that they are the cutest (and their crane-mama’s favorite) and that their buddy is just a bit goofy looking. Days are going by quickly with final preparations still being completed and hourly feedings continuing throughout the day. So, break is over, its time to get back to work. View the photos here in the 2007 Spring photo journal. Date: April 18, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Egg News Location: Main Office We just learned that the Calgary Zoo’s Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre expects to ship up to 5 eggs for the ultralight led program on April 25th. As we reported previously, one of the two eggs already shipped to Patuxent by the San Antonio Zoo still survives, and at last word was looking good. In other news - the third group of auction items have been posted to eBay. To check out what's on offer this time just click the link. OM's eBay Auction. Date: April 17, 2007 - Entry 3 Reporter: Joe Duff Subject: WCEP Releases Cause of Death Statement Location: Main Office The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership is made up of the nine agencies involved in this reintroduction. A representative from each organization sits on the Project Direction Team (PDT), a small group of like-minded people that, more by consensus than authority, attempts to lead the reintroduction. After the loss of the Class of ‘06 the PDT convened a meeting of all the team leaders to see if there was a way to prevent a reoccurrence of such a loss. So far, we have had three, 4 hour conference calls, and still have a few more ahead of us. This is going to be a long process as we hope to examine every aspect of our bird care methods, from hatch to release. The results will be made public, but in the interim we do have information that we can share with you. One of the first things reviewed was the necropsy results. The Laboratory of Wildlife Disease Research at the University of Florida conducted necropsies on two birds and veterinarians from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Programs facility examined two others. The findings included drowning from the aspiration of salt water into the lungs; trauma; and presumptive electrical shock from a lightning strike as evidenced by diagnostic tissue damage in the heart, kidneys and other organs. NOAA reports indicate a lightning strike within yards of the pen site at 3:16 AM, shortly after the high tides peaked. It is presumed that the lightning stunned the birds and they drown as a result. More data has been gathered and will be included in the final report along with recommendations for changes. Date: April 17, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Eastern Migratory Population Update Location: Main Office This update was compiled from data provided by the Tracking and Monitoring Team consisting of Tally Love, Stacy Kerley (ICF), and Richard Urbanek (USF&WS). This week thanks for monitoring assistance go to Mary Barnwell (Southwest Florida WMD); Sam Whiteleather, Rob Sullender, and Jim Bergens (IN DNR); Glenn Klingler (USDA Forest Service); and Kathy Chappell (Florida FWCC). In the highlights below, * = female; DAR = direct autumn release; NFT = non functional transmitter. Estimated size of the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP) is 59 individuals, 34 males and 25 females. Two additional birds (524 and 202*) continue to be unaccounted for. Florida: 509 – Lake County; 516 and 615 – Marion County; 523 – Levy County; 627 – Lafayette County. New York: 309* - Lewis County, NY Michigan: 318 – Oceana County, MI Indiana: DAR628 - Pulaski County, IN Wisconsin: ‘N’ = Nest 101 Stayed mainly on Necedah NWR. The status of his mate 202* remains unknown. 102* Adams County 105 Arrived with 519* on April 16 on his territory at Sprague Pool on the refuge. 107* Last observed in Adams County during an aerial survey on 29 March. NFT. 201* Remained with 306 on their territory in Juneau County. 202* Last recorded with her mate 101 on  March 13 as they entered southern GA on the first day of their spring migration. 205 Usually remained on Carter-Woggon Pool. 209* -N The active nest of 209* and 416 was found in Monroe County April 15. The date incubation began is unknown. This is the same location where the pair was observed nest building March 29. 211 -N The First Family parents continued incubation which began April 3. 212 With 419* usually in Wood County. 213 -N With mate 218* has built at least three nests at different locations in their territory at Site 2/Rice Pool during the first 2 weeks of April. One bird was observed sitting on the last nest the evening of April 16 Laying/incubation expected shortly. 216 Remained with 501* and 512 near Sprague Pool. During limited visual observations 216 and 501* were together, and 512 was alone. 217* -N The First Family parents continued incubation which began April 3. 218* -N With mate 213 has built at least three nests at different locations in their territory at Site 2/Rice Pool during the first 2 weeks of April. One bird was observed sitting on the last nest the evening of April 16 Laying/incubation expected shortly. 301* Remained with mate 311 on their territory on NE Sprague Pool. 303* Remained with mate 317 on their territory on Pool 9 and vicinity. 306 Remained with 201* on their territory in Juneau County. 307 Remained with Wild601* during the week, usually roosting near Site 3. 309* Lewis County, NY 310 Remained mainly on or near West Rynearson Pool, Necedah NWR, during the week. 311 Remained with mate 301* on their territory on NE Sprague Pool. 312* Remained with 316 either near Yellow River or mid Sprague Pool. 313* Along with 408, remained on Goose Pool or western Sprague Pool. 316 Remained with 312* either near Yellow River or mid Sprague Pool. 317 Remained with mate 303* on their territory on Pool 9 and vicinity. 318 Oceana County, MI 401 Arrived on Necedah NWR with no. 520* on March 22and remained there to roost. Has not been located since the pair separated March 23. 402 Observed at Mill Bluff and on S Sprague Pool. 403 With 514 at Mill Bluff April 12/13 April and south of the refuge with 412 and Sandhills April 15. 407 Detected flying over Sprague Pool and found April 15 on E Meadow Valley Flowage. 408 Along with 313*, remained on Goose Pool or western Sprague Pool. 412 Usually roosted on the East DU Unit or Sprague Pool. 415* NFT. Believed to have been observed in Madison County FL Feb. 19 and no subsequent reports have been received, but she is expected to be back in Wisconsin. 416 -N The active nest of 209* and 416 was found in Monroe County April 15. The date incubation began is unknown. This is the same location where the pair was observed nest building March 29. 419* With 212 usually in Wood County. 420* Detected on 1 day only (18 March) by the datalogger on Necedah NWR. No other reports have been received. 501* Remained with 216 and 512 near Sprague Pool. During limited visual observations 216 and 501* were together, and 512 was alone. 502* Observed foraging with 503 and 507* in Dodge County April 7. Detected in flight April 9 near Necedah NWR and later found in Wood County. April 13, 502 separated and moved to Columbia County. 503 Observed foraging with 502* and 507* in Dodge County April 7. Detected in flight April 9 near Necedah NWR and later found in Wood County. By April 13, 503 and 507 had separated and moved on. 505 With 506 in Dane County until returning to the refuge April 14 where they had a territorial encounter with 510* and 511. They then moved to Sprague Pool and separated. 506 With 505 in Dane County until returning to the refuge April 14 where they had a territorial encounter with 510* and 511. They then moved to Sprague Pool and separated. 507* Observed foraging with 502* and 503 in Dodge County April 7. Detected in flight April 9 near Necedah NWR and later found in Wood County. By April 13, 503 and 507* had separated and moved on. 508* In or near Wood County. 509 Lake County, FL 510* Remained with 511 at Site 3 or nearby locations. 511 Remained with 510* at Site 3 or nearby locations. 512 Remained with 501* and 216 near Sprague Pool. During limited visual observations 216 and 501* were together, and 512 was alone. 514 joined 512 on 8 April but left the next day. 514 Joined 512 on Sprague Pool April 8 but departed the next day. 516 Marion County, FL 519* Arrived with 105 on April 16 on his territory at Sprague Pool on the refuge. 520* Jackson County 523 Levy County, FL 524 Last observed 16 February with his associate, 523 in Levy County, FL. DAR527* Found with Sandhills in Columbia County during an aerial survey 29 March. No subsequent positive identifications have been received. DAR528* Marathon County. DAR532 Usually remained on the southwest Necedah NWR boundary. DAR533* Oceana County Wild601* Remained with 307 during the week, usually roosting near Site 3. 615 Marion County, FL DAR626 Separated from DAR628 April 1 at a stopover in Daviess County. Last observed alive at the same site April 12. Found dead on the morning of April 13. He apparently died from a neck wound inflicted by a predator. DAR627 Lafayette County, FL DAR628 Separated from DAR626 April 1 at a stopover in Daviess County, IN then moved to Pulaski County, IN and remains there. View the photos here in the 2007 Spring photo journal. Date: April 17, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: DAR mortality Location: Main Office Dr. Richard Urbanek reported this morning that DAR626 had been found dead in Daviess County, Indiana, on April 13th. He had arrived at this migration stop on March 27 with DAR628 who left the area on April 1st. DAR626 was last observed alive on the afternoon of April 12th. The remains, which showed an obvious neck wound, were recovered by Sam Whiteleather of Indiana DNR and forwarded to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, WI for necropsy. Date: April 14, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Bev's Egg Report #2 Location: Patuxent WRC When everything seems to be going well, I remind myself to look behind, or a little closer or even step back to get a broader picture to see what else there is I might be missing. As I stated yesterday, with it being Friday the 13th, I was braced for a bad day. It seemed to be anything but, what with the eggs coming, and the little guy inside peeping away. But when I got into work this morning, Brian Clauss was definitely not his usual chipper self. He told me that the chick was no longer peeping or moving. I asked what happened and he said he wasn't sure, but that Dr. Glenn Olsen was on his way in to have a look at the egg. As soon as Dr. Olsen looked at it, he said the chick was most probably dead and he preceded to open the egg. (If the chick wasn't dead, it was close enough to hatching that an early break-out would not do any harm.) The chick was indeed dead, and exhibited signs of hemorrhage. A necropsy was scheduled for this afternoon to try and determine the cause of death. When I asked Glen if he could speculate as to the cause, he rattled off a laundry list of possibilities. But in my mind, I knew it really didn't matter. Unfortunately, these things do happen. We do the best that we can do, taking every precaution in handling, transporting, incubating. Sometimes, nature does know best and a chick that would have no chance of a healthy survival dies shortly before hatching. Life isn't always fair and it isn't always happy. So the joy of yesterday is transmuted into the pain of today, bringing up feelings left over from February 2nd. But we work on, continuing to prep the propagation building, mowing the circle pen, checking for more eggs. If we let one set back keep us down, what would the point of the project be? We are all in this to keep going, to keep the species going, and to keep looking ahead to a future filled with large white birds calling across the marsh. Date: April 14, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Joe Duff Subject: Bev's Egg Report Location: Main Office Operation Migration functions from a 600 square foot basement office. It's kind of 'L'shaped, and piled high with boxes of supplies, files, and sweatshirts. For a small organization primarily focused on saving one species, it's unbelievably busy and often reminds me of the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The list of duties seems endless and includes photo and video requests, grant applications, year end accountings, reports to our board, and crew schedules. We have web updates, media articles, WCEP reports, and emails enough to max out the hard drive in a laptop in about a year and a half. We have a backup system for our backup system, and more notes-to-self than will fit in a standard day-timer. Somewhere in all this activity is the next edition to our magazine INformation. Liz pulls together all the pieces and sends them off to graphic designer Nan Rudd, who works miracles with her Mac. She sends back designs that she thinks are acceptable and we think are inspired. The hard work and talent that Liz and Nan routinely dedicate to INformation makes us look good. The normal workload in our small office has dramatically increased with the loss of the Class of '06 and the result is that we are running behind. Way behind. We know we promised to have INformation in your hands by the beginning of April, but please bear with us. It should be in the mail by early May. Based on the talent of Liz and Nan, I think you will find it worth the wait. Date: April 13, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Bev's Egg Report Location: Patuxent WRC Friday the 13th. An ominous sounding date. One that conjures up images of shattered mirrors, leaning ladders and black cats. In fact, I dreamt of a black cat last night, but that could be because my cats are still down in Florida. This Friday the 13th was anything but ominous. Instead it was downright auspicious if you ask me. You see, today we got two eggs from the San Antonio Zoo. Approximately 10 days we were told ago to expect these eggs, and that the hatch dates were April 16th and 19th. You read that right, April 16th and 19th, not May. When Patuxent’s Brian Clauss picked up the eggs at the Baltimore airport he thought he heard something. Well, sure enough, after opening the portable incubator he indeed did hear something. A little "peep" from one of the eggs! Right on their predicted schedule this future migrator should be hatching out this Sunday or Monday at the latest. The other egg was not peeping, so while Brian dipped the egg in its betadine bath (to draw bacteria out of the egg), he purred at the egg and it started to move, almost spinning in the warm solution so happy was this future chick! So, we'll enjoy the last couple of days of no costumes and talking because soon its silence, swathed and slow! View the photos here in the 2007 Spring photo journal. Date: April 12, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Auction Update Location: Main Office All but three of the second grouping of items on OM's eBay auction now have bids. We're busy getting listings for the third group of donated items ready. They will go on to eBay when the current auction closes. To bid or just check out the action click OM's eBay Auction. Date: April 12, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Wood Buffalo – Aransas Update Location: PWRC, Maryland I'm now back at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Centre (PWRC), and my real work for the hatch season has started. To say that I'm working my ‘pin feathers’ off is an understatement. I have a new appreciation of how hard the Patuxent crew works. They are an under appreciated, overworked, behind the scenes group and my hats go off to them. So far I have set up flight netting for the adult imprint models' outside pens; cleaned and disinfected mats, rugs and floors; mowed the chicks' runs and the perimeter; power washed and assembled shelving; washed buckets to the point I feel I'm in the Navy on KP; and assembled pen doors. And all of this in just 2 and a half days. I haven't stopped, but knowing why I'm doing this, it feels good to be working hard. Four times each day the PWRC staff goes out and does an 'egg check', and I anxiously ask, "Did you find one?" So far, three times they have! Of those three, two are genetic holdbacks, meaning their DNA is genetically valuable to help increase diversity in the captive breeding program. (Usually the first eggs from a pair that has not previously reproduced together.) But one of the eggs is for us. Every egg for the ultralight program brings new hope; a step closer to reaching our goal and a step toward recovering from 2006's loss. I smile each time an egg comes in, say a little prayer to whatever god watches over the Whooping Crane, and ask for a healthy, smart chick; one who likes to follow the trike, and, is nice to his buddies! It's back to work time, more water buckets need scrubbing and there's always power-washing to do. Date: April 11, 2007 - Entry 4 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Wood Buffalo – Aransas Update Location: Main Office April 10th, Tom Stehn, USF&WS Whooping crane coordinator, and pilot Gary Ritchey conducted their regular aerial crane survey at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Flying a Cessna 210, they had perfectly clear weather to count the 72 birds present on the refuge and surrounding area. "April 6 seemed to be the day when a noticeable number of cranes departed Aransas," said Tom, "although some had departed before that. Sightings in the migration corridor indicate the Whooping cranes are currently spread out across the U.S. as far north as North Dakota." With no mortality documented during the 2006-2007 winter season, the Wood Buffalo-Aransas flock remains at an estimated 237 birds. Based on the locations and groupings observed, Tom estimated that out of the approximately 66 adult pairs that were present during the winter, only 11 of the pairs are left on their wintering grounds. Four of the seven wintering ‘twin families’ have also started migrating. The parents of the E. Spalding Cove twin chicks started their migration leaving their youngsters behind. "This happens occasionally at Aransas," said Tom. “The juveniles will be fine," he said, "and are able to migrate back to Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada on their own." Tides were very high during the recent survey with all tidal flats flooded. No cranes were seen on uplands, prescribed burns, open bays or at sources of freshwater. Recent rains have dramatically lowered bay salinities so the marshes are relatively fresh. Tom’s next census flight is scheduled for April 19th. Date: April 11, 2007 - Entry 3 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Florida Non Migratory Population News Location: Main Office We reported on April 1st that a pair of birds from the Florida non-migratory flock were nesting and a video camera had been set up to monitor them. Marty Folk from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said he was optimistic but worried about the low water levels caused by the Florida draught. Marty advised yesterday that their one nest had been abandoned on April 4th, and that no eggs or shells were recovered from the platform. "As water levels continued to drop, cattle traffic near the nest became heavy at times," he said. "Video from the nest cam showed that they were incubating until dark on the 3rd but were gone by morning." Marty noted, "We have documented this before (nest abandoned in the dark) with video surveillance." The .75 inch of rain which fell earlier in the week was the first significant rain (>0.5") that central Florida has seen since Christmas Day! Date: April 11, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Auction a Hit Location: Main Office Congratulations auction winners and thank you to all bidders. OM's first ever eBay auction started off with a bang and we thank those of you who participated. What fun! Our first selection of items have been sold (or the bidding time has expired), and the second grouping is now posted. To take a look at what's new on offer click OM's eBay Auction. If you were hoping to win one of the pieces of art from the first run, keep watching as we will eventually re-list anything unsold. New pieces include books and crafts. We'd also like to acknowledge and thank our first eBay GivingWorks donor. "Holy Clothing!" is contributing 15% of the sale proceeds from a number of their auction items. Date: April 11, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Nesting News Location: Main Office 213 and 218 are now nest building at a different location than last week. They were spotted nest building south of the pen at Site 2 pen yesterday. Richard Urbanek said no other nesting activity had been observed. For the past 24 hours Necedah has been on the receiving end of the snow storm that hit the state. It is perhaps not the best nest building weather. Richard advised the snowfall is predicted to continue into today. Date: April 10, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: 615 Location: Main Office Along with today's tracking information sent to us by Richard Urbanek came this photo. Taken April 3rd, it is of 615 foraging where he has been 'hanging out' of late in Marion County. C'mon home little fella! Date: April 10, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Eastern Migratory Population Update Location: Main Office This update was compiled from information provided by the Tracking and Monitoring Team consisting of Tally Love, Stacy Kerley (ICF), and Richard Urbanek (USF&WS). Note: Just putting together April 9th's entry on Nesting Hopes and assembling and preparing today’s tracking report in the new format (in response to readers’ requests) instilled a whole new respect for the task the Tracking Team has compiling the data they collect each week. Hats off to you folks! In the highlights below, * = female; DAR = direct autumn release; NFT = non functional transmitter. This week, thanks go to Rob Sullender (Indiana DNR) and Rich King (FWS) for tracking or monitoring assistance, and to Sara Zimorski (ICF) and Richard Van Heuvelen (OM) for capture assistance. Estimated size of the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP) is 60 individuals, 35 males and 25 females. Two additional birds (524 and 202*) continue to be unaccounted for. Only 5 birds remained on wintering areas in Florida and at least 47 had arrived in Wisconsin by the end of the week. Still in Florida: 509, 516, 615, 523, and DAR627. Still On Spring Migration: 105 and 519*, 309*, 318, DAR533*, DAR626 and DAR628. In Wisconsin: (unless otherwise stated) 101 Remained mainly at Site 4 and south Upper Rice Pool, Necedah NWR during the week. The status of his mate 202* remains unknown. 102* Adams County 105 Was not reported during the week. He was last recorded with 519* March 29 on the second day of their migration when they left Levy County, FL and proceeded into Georgia. 107* Last observed in Adams County during an aerial survey on 29 March. NFT. 201* Remained with 306 on their territory in Juneau County. 202* Last recorded with her mate 101 on 13 March as the pair entered southern GA on the first day of their spring migration. 205 Usually remained on Carter-Woggon Pool or adjacent areas. 209* Remained in Monroe County during the week. Her mate, 416 (NFT) had also been confirmed present at this location during an aerial survey 29 March when they were observed nest building. 8 April they were observed walking in a nearby sedge marsh. 211 The First Family parents (211 and 217*) remained on their territory on eastern East Rynearson Pool (ERP) on the refuge during the week. The male was observed nest building 1 April near the site of their successful re-nest last year. The pair began incubation on 3 April and continued during the week. 212 Along with 419* was frequently in Wood County during the week. The datalogger (automatic monitoring system) at the refuge indicated that they completed migration on 17 March. 213 Remained with mate 218* on their territory at Site 2/Rice Pool during the week. They were observed nest building on 3 April just east of last year's nest location. 216 Remained on mid or NW Sprague Pool during the week. 501* and 514 were at the same location until 514 left 2 April. 512 apparently joined 216 and 501* 3 April, and the group stayed together for the remainder of the week.