Date: August 31, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Nathan Hurst Subject: Bossy Birds and Crane Rodeos Location: Wisconsin I've been at Site 1 with Cohort 3 for two days in a row. Though they're the smallest birds, they might have a bit of a Napoleon complex going on. 727 is not afraid to stand up to the two adults that frequent the runway, the First Family parents 211 and 217*, and little 733 is emboldened by his penmate. Despite the adult's aggressive displays, it's the youngsters who are doing the chasing. They fly with necks stretched out and beaks snapping and the adults get out of their way. Still, a full on confrontation wouldn't do us any good, so because of the risk of the birds injuring one another, the pilots try to maneuver themselves to get between the aggressors. We have been trying to move Cohort 2 from Site 2 to Site 1. They will be housed in a pen adjacent but separated from the Cohort 3 chicks so the birds can see each other and get used to each other before they are introduced on the runway. Eventually, after Cohorts 2 and 3 can safely be housed in the same pen, Cohort 1 will be brought over from Site 4 to the other side of the divided pen at Site 1 to go through the same familiarization process. After that, they two will be moved in to the pen with the rest of the Class of 2007. Right now, Cohort 2 isn't sure what they think about this idea. The pilots have started flying the birds toward Site 1, only to have them turn back and return to their comfort zone. With two pilots trying to induce the chicks to fly across the pool to their new home it looks a little like an aerial circus. Something along the way has been spooking them; maybe their own reflection in the water. Perhaps on our third try we'll have more success. Although it was frustrating watching from Site one as the pilots had to circle back again and again after the birds, right before us was solid proof that it can be done. There, standing in front of us, were 211 and 217* happily foraging while the ultralights performed their two-ring circus in the background. Date: August 31, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Presents Location: Wisconsin Yesterday we got a call in camp from the Necedah Refuge headquarters saying we had someone at the office with a present for us. Since Brooke and I were the only OM people at camp at the time we both grinned and jumped in the van for the quick hop over. Much to our surprise, we were greeted by longtime Craniacs and Wisconsin Natural Resource Foundation members, Jim and Marilyn Hampton from Wausau. Having heard about Whooper Brew, (the beer specially made for CraneFest) Jim, a veteran wine-maker, had the idea to bottle a wine just for us. The upshot is that we were presented with ‘Whooper Ultralight White’ and ‘Mighty Fine Migration Wine'. Thank you so much Jim and Marilyn for the gift - and Brooke and I promise we will share. (Evil grin!) Date: August 30, 2007 - Entry 3 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: CraneFest 2007 Location: Main Office With the Necedah Lions Club Whooping Crane Festival just over two weeks away, several of WCEP’s partners - Operation Migration, the Patuxent Wildlife Research Centre, the International Crane Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wisconsin DNR – are all busy preparing their booth displays.   As usual, the Festival will be held the third Saturday in September (the 15th) at the fairgrounds in the town of Necedah. The action gets underway with an all you can eat pancake breakfast starting at 7:00AM, and the first Necedah Refuge tour bus also leaves at that time. The booths and exhibits open at 9:00am and the first of the dozen speaker presentations also begin at 9.   More tours, a BBQ dinner followed by music and dancing round out the day’s events and activities. Sharing booth space with one of our working aircraft will be OM’s new pictorial exhibit display, as well as a selection of OM Gear and other merchandise.   So c’mon to Necedah folks! Meet the OM Team as well as many, many people from across the country who share our passion for the Whooping crane and come time and time again to join in the fun.   For more details about the Festival, click here Necedah Lion’s Club 2007 Whooping Crane Festival Date: August 30, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: James Popham Subject: Apologies for any inconvenience Location: Main Office EBay, the parent company of PayPal, has recently begun implementing server upgrades without forewarning its customers. As a result, some glitches have occurred with their merchant tools, ultimately producing baffling results for customers. On our site, in some instances it is charging for shipping where no shipping fee is due.)   Although we here at OM cannot do anything to fix these issues, we do apologize for any inconveniences they may cause our supporters hoping to contribute, take out a membership, or buy merchandise. If you've had any difficulty, please call us toll free at 800-675-2618) where you will be greeted warmly by a real live person! (Remember, we only have 1 phone line, so if you do get put to voice mail, it's because we're already helping someone else.)   If you need to reach PayPal, their customer service line is 402-935-2050. You will need the last 4 digits of the bank or credit card associated with your account to get their help.   Again, sorry for any inconvenience, and thank you for your patience as OM tries to work out a resolution in partnership with PayPal. Date: August 30, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Flashing Back Location: Wisconsin Flashbacks - that is what this morning was all about. Although I was a child of the 70s, I didn't do drugs like a lot of others, so I have never experienced a flashback in that sense of the word. But this morning sure was deja-vu all over again. You haven't heard from the Necedah crew all week because we haven't flown all week.  Sunday was the last day the guys were airborne. I know it is not too exciting hearing about the day to day work we do, so after 3 non-flying days, we were excited this morning to see it was calm and clear. On Sunday we prepped the Site 1 pen for the anticipated move of Cohort 2 on the next flying day. That was the plan for this morning but as all best laid plans go, it didn't happen. In spite of the clear skies, no wind, and very cool temps, the chicks just didn't want to go. So, as I flashed back to last year’s migration and all the crazy mornings we had, the pilots started their version of a rodeo and attempted the first round-up of the season. At first it appeared that all was going well. Brooke took the lead, the release went well and all five followed him into the crystal blue sky. But it didn't take long to see that they weren't going to make it without some intervention, and when the first chick turned back, Chris swooped in for the ‘capture’. All it took was that one chick to turn back and next thing I saw was all of them turning back. Even the oh-so-dreaded swamp monster couldn't deter the young ones from wanting to return ‘home’. So, after monstering himself into a lather, Brian Clauss quickly disappeared back into his shed and three of the five chicks landed on the runway. I saw one chick land in the marsh right adjacent the pen, but didn't know where the fifth had gotten itself to. Once we had the other four back in the pen, the pilots remounted their trusty steeds and prepared for a search. Brian and I stood on the edge of the runway looking through fogged up helmets in the general direction Chris had indicated. While the pilots warmed their engines, I caught a glimpse of gangly wings slowly ascending from the marsh. I ran as quickly as costume and boots allowed to flag down the pilots before they could take-off and pointed toward the inbound chick. Unlike last year's, this year's chicks seem to have a much better homing instinct and they come back much more readily. As 721 landed on the runway, I reopened the pen door and he followed the trail of grapes right inside. We all sighed relief and as Brooke and Chris headed to Site 4 for the training of Cohort 1, Brian and I filled feeders and looked over our young charges. Thus ended my flashback for the day. Let’s hope I get them over and done with before migration starts! Date: August 29, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: James Popham Subject: School's starting! Location: Main Office While shopping the other day, I noticed that the shelves of the store were lined with stationary, binders, and back packs. That is to say, the 2007/2008 school year is quickly coming up for young minds throughout North America. As you undertake your preparations for this upcoming year, we would like to remind you about the Change4Cranes fundraising kit being offered by Operation Migration this fall. With the success of the Change4Cranes fundraiser by the students at Windermere Elementary School in Florida a number of teachers and supporters have contacted OM asking for a similar fundraising program they could use. With those requests in mind, OM has developed Change4Cranes into something in which kids everywhere can participate. We now have a Change4Cranes kit, consisting of a little pop-up cardboard coin collection box, peel and stick decals with which to decorate it, and a page of ideas to help get the creative juices flowing. Here at the office we have already seen several examples of wonderfully decorated boxes created by some of our creative and resourceful Craniac Kids. Any teacher who would like a Change4Cranes kit for their class, or, one for each student, please get in touch. Or, if you are a Craniac Kid and would like a kit of your own, just email us your name, mailing address, the name of your school and the grade you are in. Although we still have many kits available, as the school year approaches we are anticipating that OM’s Change4Cranes boxes will soon be in short supply! As a special bonus, schools or classes signing on as a Change4Cranes participant before September 30 will be entered into a draw. Three names will be drawn on October 1st, and the winners will be offered the opportunity to have a member of the OM team come and give a presentation. To sign on and order a Change4Cranes kit(s) email: james@operationmigration.org. Date: August 28, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Eastern Migratory Population Update Location: Main Office This update was compiled from data provided by Richard Urbanek (USFWS), Stacey Kerley (ICF), and Nicole Frey. Thanks to Burr Fisher (USFWS) for tracking assistance. In the highlights below, * = female; DAR = direct autumn release; NFT = non functional transmitter. Estimated size of the eastern migratory population is 54 individuals. In the central Wisconsin core reintroduction area were: (Frequent rain over the past week relieved the near drought conditions.) 101, 102*, 105 205, 211 & 217*, 212 & 419*, 213 & 218*, 216 & 508* 301* & 311, 303* & 317, 307NFT, 310NFT & 501*NFT, 312* & 316, 313* & 318 401, 402, 403, 407, 408 & 519*, 412 505, 506, 509, 511, 512, 514, 520* Wild 601*, DAR627, DAR628 Note: 412 and DAR628 visited the pensite at Site 3 early last week and were chased away by 102. Outside central Wisconsin core were: 107*NFT, 420*, DAR527*, DAR528* Recorded earlier in Wisconsin but current location unknown were: 503 & 507* in Wood County May 26 201*NFT last observed June 9 (mate 306 predated ~July 6) 209NFT & 416NFT last observed on an aerial survey August 1. 415*NFT last observed in Adams County June 7 524NFT An unidentified Whooping crane observed in the eastern Sprague Pool area on 30 July may have been 524. Michigan: 516 in Ingham County Recorded earlier in Michigan but current location unknown: DAR533* last observed June 11 in Van Buren County. She was not found when the area was last checked August 9. New York: 309* in Lewis County. Missing (suspected dead): 202* last recorded in Georgia March 26. Date: August 24, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Brooke Pennypacker Subject: Highwater Location: Wisconsin "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink." So began the “Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner. Well, up until recently, our 'rhyme of the Not-so-Ancient Migrator' was, "Water, water everywhere except here on the refuge!" All summer long we watched storm after rain-filled storm march across our weather radar computer screens only to divert around us at the last minute, as if a part of some supernatural conspiracy to turn Necedah into the Sahara. We looked on with growing concern as our crane wet pens turned to mud pens then to dry pens, and we worried over the possible negative affects this would have on the birds; no water roosting; the threat of disease; and how best to explain the word 'draught' to a crane. Not that Necedah would ever compete with the Great Lakes in the water department. It's like they say in the Bahamas, +Mon…we got lots of water, but it mighty thin!"  And despite the fact that the name Necedah itself is Ho Chunk, for “land of yellow water," (possibly the result of its location just downstream from an Indian PortaPotty?) the large lake-like areas which so efficiently mirror our ultralights as we fly over them, are really only suggestions of water bodies; just shallow pools totally at the mercy of summer evaporation. And since 85% of refuge water comes from rain and snowmelt, "What comes down must go up." But all that has now changed. I know, because as I write this update, the rain is pounding so hard, hard on the roof of my trailer that the only thing I can do is write this update! If I go outside, I’ll drown - or be swept away and wind up on the evening news. Okay, so I exaggerate a little. But you wouldn’t believe how big the fish was that just swam past my window! As the State of Wisconsin washes into Lake Michigan, our wet pens are filling up again, and that's all we really care about. Besides, it's too late to build an ark. And it would probably leak anyway. And even if it didn't, we’d only want to fill it up with cranes and that would be discrimination. "Passengers wanted. Only cranes need apply." So, as the Necedah Refuge is transformed into the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, I'll end this update with the final line of the Ancient Mariner. The one he was heard to utter just before he drank himself to death. "Be careful what you wish for, Baby, cause your wish just might come true; and then what, Baby, just what are ya gonna do?" DOO DAH! DOO DAH!!!!! Date: August 23, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Joe & Nathan Subject: Fly Fast - Turn Left Location: Wisconsin Joe writes: It has transitioned from being so parched and dry that the grass crunched underfoot, to so wet we couldn’t use the runways even when it stopped raining. From drought to drenched in less than a week. We needed the rain but it wasn’t until yesterday that we were able to get back to training with the birds. Earlier in the week we took them out just for some exercise. It was warm and overcast and they did jump around, but none of them flew very far in the heat and humidity. Now it looks like we are in for more rain…it’s beginning to feel a lot like migration. View the photos here in the 2007 Summer photo journal. Nathan writes: Chris, who is a bit of a NASCAR enthusiast, ought to feel right at home. Yesterday, we were able to sneak in a training, but since it was greater than 100 percent humidity ("I didn't even know it could get above 100 percent humidity," said Joe), Chris took cohort one on a couple of short circuits instead of their usual longer trip. As they circled about the runway, we handlers had a clear view from the pen. Like race car drivers, the chicks followed the leader, jostling for position off Chris' wingtip. Several birds experienced a minor collision and were thrown off course, causing the yellow 'caution' flag to go up while they regained their balance and got back in the echelon. The birds are developing a flight hierarchy that they will use during migration. They nudge each other in an attempt to gain the coveted position directly off the wingtip, where the draft is the greatest and flying is easiest. In spite of the little bump today, the birds' interactions in the air are benign, and nobody has gone down in flames. Date: August 22, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Consider Becoming a Sustaining Member of OM Location: Main Office As Operation Migration grows, so must its organizational infrastructure. As a result, the Board of Directors has recently revised the corporations’ bylaws, and one of the hoped for outcomes is an increase to the numbers of Sustaining Members. Operation Migration has two categories of membership. They are: Supporting and Sustaining. In addition to the benefits accruing to Supporting Members, Sustaining Members also receive notice of General and Annual meetings of the corporations, and may attend and vote (in person or by proxy) on the affairs of the organizations. Sustaining Members may also nominate other Sustaining Members for election to the Board of Directors, vote at elections, and if interested and they themselves are nominated and elected, serve in that capacity. If you wish to participate in Operation Migration’s governance and have no conflicts of interest, please consider becoming a Sustaining Member. The annual fee for Sustaining Membership is $125, of which $105 is tax deductible. If you have already paid a Supporting Membership, a credit for a portion of your fee can be applied against your Sustaining Membership fee. Sustaining Membership is listed on the ‘Contribute’ page on our website. The fee may be paid via PayPal, by sending a check, or, you can simply call OM’s office and do so using a credit card. A simple Declaration of Conflict of Interest / No Conflict of Interest form will then be sent to you for signature. Sustaining Members interested in standing for election to the Board of Directors (the voting for which will take place at OM’s Annual General Meetings to take place before the end of September) are encouraged to contact the office for more information. Below is the section of the bylaw pertaining to qualifications of Sustaining Members Article 3, Section 4, Sub-section 4.02 – Sustaining Members Any individual over the age of eighteen who meets the conditions of membership, and files a Declaration of Conflict of Interest, may become a Sustaining Member. In addition to all privileges granted to Supporting Members, Sustaining Members shall be entitled to make nominations for, and to hold office in the corporation; to receive notice of special and general meetings of Members, and, to attend and vote thereat on all matters presented. Date: August 22, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Weather Forecasts - don't believe everything you hear Location: Wisconsin For the past 15 years my jobs have all been weather dependent. Come to think of it, they have all been in aviation, so that stands to reason. Because of this I have become to rely on both weather radios and the internet to inform me of current and forecast conditions. It has become a long standing routine that in the evening I sit down at the computer and check what the next morning is forecast to bring. Forecast is the key word here. When I checked the long range forecast over the weekend, every morning this week looked bleak - rainy, windy and just generally yucky (that is a very technical aviation term). Last night confirmed the long range outlook and indicated that it would be "definitely" raining this morning. All night I listened to the rain pelting the trailer and when the alarm went off at 0500hrs, I turned it off. Was I surprised by the knock on the door and the voice saying, "Let's go lazy-bones.” The rain had ended and unbelievably there was no wind and no fog – a surprising condition these days. I headed out to Site 1 with Joe to train the ‘little guys. Lately we have been dividing them up into two groups, letting 726 and 727 train together so they can fly circuits while 733 and 735 who are still gravity bound, get the benefit of some high speed taxi training. 733 has been flying in ground effect and seems like he's ready to go at any time. Well, since this morning was rather humid, we decided to let all the birds out together. When it is humid out, the birds tend to not fly real well or high, and stick close to the pen site as opposed to flying circuits. So we thought all 4 could train together. We guessed right. 726 and 727 flew a half a circuit while 733 flew the length of the runway and 735 ran and flapped furiously trying to keep up. That was the best we could get out of the birds this morning, and, after 4 high speed runs down the runway, we put the birds away. So, this evening it will be the same routine. Check the weather, listen to the rain, but this time I won't be turning off the alarm in the morning. View the photos here in the 2007 Summer photo journal. Date: August 21, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Eastern Migratory Population Update (Recent Mortality) Location: Main Office This update was compiled from data provided by Richard Urbanek (USFWS), Stacey Kerley (ICF), and Nicole Frey. Thanks to Burr Fisher (USFWS) for tracking assistance. In the highlights below, * = female; DAR = direct autumn release; NFT = non functional transmitter. With the mortality of 502 the past week, the estimated size of the eastern migratory population is reduced to 54 individuals, 31 males and 23 females. Mortality The carcass of 502*, who paired with 407 this past spring, was discovered yesterday on the Meadow Valley SWA, the pair’s most frequently used area. She was found lying on her back with her head and neck tucked under her right wing. "Tracking data indicated that death occurred on or about August 16th or 17th," said Dr. Richard Urbanek. "The carcass, found in a few inches of water within sedge marsh that was likely dry before recent rainfall, was completely intact." The remains of 502 will be sent to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center for necropsy. This latest loss brings the number of free-flying released bird mortalities to 27 since the beginning of the reintroduction project. In the central Wisconsin core reintroduction area were: (which has had welcome rainfall to relieve recent and prolonged drought conditions) 101, 102*, 105 205, 209NFT & 416NFT, 211 & 217*, 212 & 419*, 213 & 218*, 216 & 508* 301* & 311, 303* and 317, 307NFT, 310NFT & 501*NFT, 312* & 316, 313* & 318 401, 402, 403, 407, 408 & 519*, 412 505, 506, 509, 511, 512, 514, 520* Wild 601*, DAR627, DAR628 Outside central Wisconsin core were: 107*NFT, 420*, DAR527*, DAR528* Recorded earlier in Wisconsin but current location unknown were: 503 & 507* in Wood County May 26 201*NFT last observed June 9 (mate 306 predated ~July 6) 415*NFT last observed in Adams County June 7 524NFT An unidentified Whooping crane observed in the eastern Sprague Pool area on 30 July may have been 524. Michigan: 516 in Ingham County as of July 5. | Recorded earlier in Michigan but current location unknown: DAR533* last found June 11 in Van Buren County. She was not found when the area was checked August 9. New York: 309* in Lewis County. Missing (suspected dead): 202* last recorded in Georgia March 26. Date: August 20, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Wood Buffalo/Aransas Population Location: Main Office August 2007 Wood Buffalo Whooper Count Report by Brian Johns and Lea Craig-Moore, Canadian Wildlife Service "We just finished our fledging success surveys and found 30 pairs with single young, and 5 pairs with 2 young each for a total of 40 young. There were another 4 pairs that had young in June that we were unable to locate, so there could be a few more young out there.   The heart of the crane nesting area in the Sass and Klewi River drainages were quite dry and the survival of chicks in those areas was lower than expected, especially in the Sass River marshes where only 4 of 16 pairs produced young." Date: August 19, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Joe Duff Subject: Puddles becoming ponds again Location: Wisconsin It has been so dry here in Necedah that the wet pens are now mud flats and we refer to the open expanse of shallow water were the pens are located as East Rynearson Puddle. John Olsen, Refuge Hydrologist, has done everything he can to bring water down from the north part of the refuge to help provide our chicks with something to roost in. But he's run out of options. That was last week. It rained almost constantly over the weekend and we expect to get more this week. Within a few more days we should be back to normal. Of course the rain also means we can't fly, and we have been down now for three days. That's okay. The birds are happy foraging in the water and it's a good way to prepare us for the migration. Date: August 18, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Joe Duff Subject: Rewarding Day Location: Wisconsin My time is split between our home office in Port Perry Ontario and our field camp in Necedah, Wisconsin. There are advantages to being home. Nothing can beat evenings and weekends with my wife and daughter. The field can definitely be lonely and you can certainly get more of the minutia taken care of from the office. But it is also nice to get a chance to work with the birds. After all, that is what this entire effort is about. (I have to say that occasionally to remind myself). And flying with the birds is the reward for all the time away and the hard work. Yesterday was my first day back in camp and the crew took pity on me and let me fly with the older birds. Brooke recently had them up for 10 minutes, with the youngest dropping out a little early. Friday morning was cool and calm and all the birds came out of the pen like soldiers ready for action. They took off slightly ahead of me, and to avoid getting too close, I turned wide. Once they began to form a line, I dropped into the lead position. I stayed low and slow and flew out over the marsh at 50 feet. Take off was so smooth and quick that I got the drop on 101 who was still foraging on his territory. He looked up as we passed overhead. As I cruised south, I saw another pair of white birds and the Trumpeter swan family. Two birds, likely 712 and 714, turned back but I kept going with the other six. There are two ponds in the wetland system we use. Our pen sites are located on East Rynearson Pool and the other is West Rynearson. On a regular schedule the ponds are drained, one at a time, to help maintain them. Emptying them occasionally and letting them sit for a season, kills of the aquatic grasses that would eventually fill the pool and transform it from shallow open water to wetland. The grasses that grow in the newly drained area also provide many nutrients when the pond is again allowed to flood. It is all part of a healthy marsh management plan. The grasses that have grown on West Rynearson since this spring have taken root in rich soil, and, despite the current drought, they are the same incredible shades of green you might expect to see only in Eden. We flew low over West Rynearson and its lush untouched environment and then past the Observation Tower. That was the first flypast of the season and we made sure it was a good one, but there was nobody there to see these birds fly over for the first time. We headed north, making a large circle around the pen site, and eventually passed overhead. The two birds that dropped out, took off to join us and we did a few more circuits. I planned my approach from the east but one bird cut the corner and landed on the runway where I hoped to touch down, so I went around. A few more birds landed and 101 arrived late to stand in the runway, inadvertently blocking my approach. I circled a couple of times before finding an opening. In total, the birds had been airborne for 20 minutes. While flying these last few circles, 709 dropped out and landed in the marsh about a hundred yards behind the pen. Chris Gullikson had been working with the East site birds, and when he was finished, he flew high overhead to see what was going on. He was the one who noticed number 709 drop out and he kept and eye on him while Brian Clauss (USGS/Patuxent), Bev Paulan and I put the others back in the pen. Before we finished, 709 flew in and landed next to the trike. It was a good day and all the reward I need. Date: August 18, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Whooping Crane Count as of August 15, 2007 Location: Main Office Tom Stehn, Whooping Crane Recover Team leader sent along his latest charts on Whooping crane numbers.    wild populations adult young total adult pairs Aransas/Wood Buffalo 236 A? A236 69 Rocky Mountain 0 0 0 0 Florida Non-migratory B40 1 B41 17 Eastern Migratory 55 C27 82 4 Totals 331 29 360 90 A  A record 84 chicks hatched from 65 nests in 2007, and 250+ cranes including 45+ juveniles are expected to arrive at Aransas by early winter. The number of chicks hatched in Wood Buffalo in 2007 will not be added to population totals until the flock is censused at Aransas in early winter, 2007. B  Reflects the birds regularly monitored in Florida. A few additional cranes could be present in unknown locations. One chick fledged in the wild in 2007. C  28 chicks raised in captivity were shipped to the Necedah NWR, WI for later reintroduction. 17 will be led by ultralight to Florida; 11 are scheduled to be released with other wild cranes in central Wisconsin. In 2007, five Whooping crane breeding facilities; Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; International Crane Foundation; Calgary Zoo; San Antonio Zoo; and, Species Survival Center in New Orleans, all either provided eggs or hatched and raised chicks. Two eggs came from a wild nest in Florida and 2 eggs came from wild nests in Wisconsin.   captive populations  adult young* total breeding pairs Patuxent WRC, MD 60 3 63 13 International Crane Foundation, WI 35 1 36 11 Devonian Wildllife Conservation Center, AB 21 2 23 6 Species Survival Center, LA 8 0 8 1 Calgary Zoo, AB 2 0 2 0 New Orleans Zoo, LA 2 0 2 0 San Antonio Zoo, TX 8 0 8 1 Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, FL 2 0 2 0 Lowry Park Zoo, FL 2 0 2 0 Jacksonville Zoo, FL 2 0 2 0 Milwaukee County Zoo, WI 1 0 1 0 Totals 143 6 149 32 * Numbers are of young remaining at the captive centers after eggs and/or birds were shipped out for reintroduction programs. In most cases, these young are genetically valuable and will become future captive breeding stock.   TOTALS:  360 Wild + 149 Captive = 509 Date: August 17, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: The OM Team Subject: Florida Chick Location: Canada & the USA As usual, MileMaker 2007 launched April 1st. The good news is that sponsorships are at least keeping pace with last year's year-to-date numbers. Better news would of course be that sponsorships were outstripping the number of miles sponsored by this time last year. Wisconsin's Craniacs have once again beaten the other flyway States to the punch with all the miles in their state already sponsored. At last check, Illinois was only about 60 miles short of a 'sell out', and while there are MileMakers in every other state too, three-quarters of the total migration miles are still open for sponsorship. If you haven’t already taken out your MileMaker sponsorship – now is as good a time as any. If all of us on the OM Team could have three wishes they would be – Wish 1: that we lead the Class of 2007 safely to Florida; Wish 2: that we make the migration in record-breaking time (that’s shortest not longest!); Wish 3: that when departure day rolls around, a sold out MileMaker meant the stress and worry about our financial  ability to carry out the migration was GONE. Frank Chapman, (1864 - 1962) ornithologist, author, and conservationist once said, "A bird in the bush is worth two in the hand." With your help, before this year is out there will be 17 more Whooping cranes 'in the bush'. Date: August 17, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Florida Chick Location: Main Office Thanks to Marty Folk of the Florida Fish and Conservation Commission for keeping us in the loop about the chick of Whooping crane adults 1291 and 898. You will recall our posting in July reporting the construction of a fence to discourage the parents from leading their chick to a feeding area on the other side of a busy highway. Marty was convinced then that the wetlands around the nest site could support the birds, and from all appearances he was right. He advises that despite record-setting heat and lower than normal rainfall, some of the marshes are starting to hold water. Among those is the nest marsh/lake where this little family is located. This photo, taken by Steve Baynes, shows the now 62 day old chick and its parents foraging together. Date: August 16, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Weather Location: Main Office In a recent email, supporter and MileMaker Mark Mowbray wrote, "After reading today's posting, I have a suggestion. How about putting a weather link on the website so that we can see what's going on at Necedah?" Happy to oblige Mark. Here's the link. Check Necedah Weather. We’ll also add it to the 'Links Page' so it is on the site permanently. Date: August 15, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Nathan & Bev Subject: Yea!! - Rain! Location: Wisconsin Nathan writes: Have you ever had the feeling that Zeus is mocking you? We've had three big storms in the past week - and gotten almost no rain. The pools are so low that the wet pens at Sites 1 and 2 are growing weeds. The birds don't act like they're suffering, but I know how much they enjoy their private ponds. On Monday night, Chris (our resident ‘storm chaser’) called to warn us about a storm brewing in Minnesota. On the radar it showed up as the biggest patch of red I have ever seen. When I watched it roll in around midnight, the thunder and lightning was constant, and I felt (living in a trailer) a little unprepared for the big one headed our way. I needn't have worried. Somehow, it managed to pass directly over us without so much as a third of an inch of precipitation, and the wind wasn't as severe as the storm on Saturday night. Normally I love sunshine, but the dry weather is, ironically, like a cloud hanging over us. It permeates every task, and holds me in a constant level of anxiety wondering how much worse it can get. Fortunately, though, I'm writing this early Wednesday morning because yet another storm on the horizon has caused us to skip training. The raindrops are gradually dampening the refuge and everything in it. Maybe this will be the one. So do a rain dance, pray for rain, or do whatever you do, because our spirits are badly in need of dampening. Bev writes Another morning and another scramble while I try to wake up. Our usual routine in camp in the early a.m. goes something like this. Brooke and Brian are the first ones up and they start the morning coffee clatch. Richard soon joins in, quickly followed by Megan. I'm not quite sure if Nate joins in or not, 'cause he and I are not morning people, and I always sleep until the last possible moment. This is better for everyone involved! I need a few minutes of quiet to put on my ‘happy face’ so I don't scare anyone first thing. One of the things I do in my few minutes alone is check the radar - which I did this morning. I was hoping I would see what the darkening skies were hinting at, and sure enough, there was rain coming. I hesitated to get too excited, because we've seen rain on radar before only to have it skirt around us, denying us much needed moisture. This morning the radar indicated that we wouldn't be denied, but the guys were already in the 'gotta go no matter what' mode, and even with my admonition of, "It ain't gonna happen," off they went anyway. My cell phone buzzed as Megan and I were walking out to Site 2, and I started to laugh even before I answered. It was Brooke saying, "Yeah, yeah, you were right." So Megan and I continued on our way to the pen to do the non-training check; filled feeders, count beaks, etc, and then we headed back to camp for some breakfast. Here's to rain, glorious rain. May you grace us all day! Date: August 14, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Megan Kennedy Subject: Flight Training Update Location: Wisconsin It's hard to believe I've been in Necedah for six weeks now. Add the six weeks I spent at Patuxent, and the summer is almost over. Looking back, it's easy to see where all the time went; it's been busy. From day to day life doesn’t change much. Most of us can’t remember which day of the week it is, and only know the date because of the daily records we keep on training and the birds' health. In camp, we are cut off from the world outside of the reintroduction project, but I have a feeling many find this to be an appealing aspect of living and working on the refuge. All of the birds are training very well. Cohort 1 is flying stronger and longer everyday. Sunday, they flew all together for five minutes. Even 101 was up there. But then he left the wing and tried to lead half the chicks away with him. Richard cut him off and rescued the birds from their would-be 'nabber. Yesterday, the group was up for at least ten minutes before 714 dropped out. A few minutes later 712 joined her on the ground and after another circuit and a half, Brooke landed the others. Cohort 2 (pictured to the right) has been doing well lately too. They flew on three sets of circuits Monday and all stayed well together for the earlier flights. Occasionally, one or two will still land in the marsh when they need to drop down, but they’ve been walking out and rejoining the group on their own. Meanwhile, the swamp monster lies quietly by, waiting for an errant chick to provoke its wrath once again. The small group of four chicks constituting Cohort 3 are improving as well. We have just begun leading 726 on very short circuits. 727 continues to fly the length of the runway, but seems to have reached a temporary plateau in her progress. Because of the large age gap, 726 and 727 are trained together. They receive off-ground flight training and adequate exercise for a short time before 733 and 735 are let out of the pen and the pace is slowed down for the two younger birds. There is still concern over 733's rotated leg, but she has been doing very well. She is on the verge of flying, which should relieve some of the stress caused otherwise by running. It gets pretty hot and humid most days and the mosquitoes prey on us at night, but otherwise camp life is grand. I have been pleasantly surprised at the camaraderie. The only arguing is over who gets to do the dishes after a great Nomad-cooked meal. Robert Doyle even had us singing 'Kumbaya' before he left at the end of his current tour of duty. Currently at camp are myself, Patuxent's Brian Clauss, Richard, Bev, Brooke and Nathan. Chris spent most of his ‘vacation’ here on site helping us out, and Joe is expected back in a day or two. Patuxent's newest crane handler, Tammy Otto, recently departed after a ten day stint learning the ropes at Necedah. Being from Wisconsin, she seemed to relish her time here, and her family even invited us all over for lunch. She bunked with me and is by far the best trailer-mate I've ever had! Next up in the rotation of 'Patuxentites' is Barb Clauss. On a side note, a group of my own family (short a few due to the ushering in of my newest cousin, Nora) had the opportunity to come out and tour the refuge recently. Great to have the chance to visit and show them around. View the photo here in the 2007 Summer photo journal. Date: August 14, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Eastern Migratory Population Update Location: Main Office This update was compiled from data provided by Richard Urbanek (USFWS), Stacey Kerley (ICF), and Nicole Frey. Thanks to Burr Fisher (USFWS) for tracking assistance. In the highlights below, * = female; DAR = direct autumn release; NFT = non functional transmitter. Estimated size of the eastern migratory population at the end of the week was 55 individuals, 31 males and 24 females. In the central Wisconsin core reintroduction area (which, despite some recent relief, is experiencing prolonged drought and extreme) were: 101, 102*, 105 205, 209NFT & 416NFT, 211 & 217*, 212 & 419*, 213 & 218*, 216 & 508* 301* & 311, 303* and 317, 307NFT, 310NFT & 501*NFT, 312* & 316, 313* & 318 401, 402, 403, 407 & 502*, 408 & 519*, 412 505, 506, 509, 511, 512, 514, 520* Wild 601*, DAR627, DAR628 Outside central Wisconsin core were: 107*NFT, 420*, DAR527*, DAR528* Michigan: 516 in Ingham County as of July 5. New York: 309* in Lewis County. Recorded earlier in Wisconsin but current location unknown: 503 & 507* in Wood County May 26 201*NFT last observed June 9 (mate 306 predated ~July 6) 415*NFT last observed in Adams County June 7 524NFT An unidentified Whooping crane observed in the eastern Sprague Pool area on 30 July may have been 524. Recorded earlier in Michigan but current location unknown: DAR533* last found June 11 in Van Buren County. She was not found when the area was checked August 9. Missing (suspected dead): 202* last recorded in Georgia March 26. Date: August 13, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Making a Difference Location: Wisconsin I have been humbled. Utterly, totally, and speechlessly humbled. And overwhelmed. And awestruck. And two very young ladies did it. This morning, we had the great honor and privilege of hosting the Studnicka sisters, Eve and Nadia, and their mom, Abby, here at camp. These are the girls that folded the origami cranes to sell to make money to donate to OM and the Whooping cranes. With some help from their folks, the girls folded cranes, marketed them by not only walking door to door, but by also selling them in stores, at concerts, at parks, anywhere there were people gathered who might buy them. In fact, people from around the world bought their cranes. They gave talks to groups, gave interviews to newspaper reporters, and were featured on the local evening news. Our project became their cause and it became part of their lives; from studying about the cranes in their home-school curriculum, to folding and selling paper ones in their free time. These two, with their big brown eyes and quiet demeanor, did what I could not have done. Certainly at their age, I didn't have the courage or the smarts to sell to strangers or speak before a group of 100+ people. (That's why I wear a costume and hide in a bird pen!) They took time away from their play, the things they love to do; Eve from her baking; Nadia from her hockey (which happens to be my favorite sport), and folded and folded some more, all for the cranes. Then they started talking about the cranes and the project it to anyone who would listen. Talk about taking action! While I sit in camp and fret about a presentation I have to give, these girls don't hesitate to get up and speak about the cranes, even on an impromptu invitation in front of a large concert audience. At their age I was playing with dolls, roller-skating, and figuring out that boys were really different than girls. (Come to think of it, I haven’t changed my extracurricular activities that much in all this time!) I really didn't do anything to make a difference. And that is what makes Eve and Nadia so different and so very special. They have become interested in something outside of themselves, something larger. They have set the bar a little higher for not only people their own age, but for all of us. They showed that it doesn't take a big, flashy act to make a difference; that it only takes one little idea, one step, 'one fold' at a time. They have shown me, and hopefully lots of others too, that it doesn't take someone big and famous and important to do something great. It just takes someone to care enough. Abby told me as they were leaving that I am Nadia's hero. Well, Nadia, you are mine. You and your sister.  You overwhelmed me with your generosity and compassion, with your patience, determination and perseverance. Thank you for doing this, but mostly, thank you for proving it doesn't take a giant to make a big difference, and for reminding us all that even the simplest and humblest of acts can reach around the world. View the photo here in the 2007 Summer photo journal. Date: August 12, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Stormy Weather Location: Main Office The thunderstorm that hit the refuge yesterday morning dropped only light rain for a couple of hours. While it was sufficient to prevent training, it cleared up in time for Necedah’s annual Street Festival and parade; something the crew participates in every year. More, much needed rain fell in the late afternoon. Shortly after 11PM last night, the weather radio blaring out a severe weather warning in advance of more storms moving into the area woke the crew. Soon, 'tornado sounding' winds set the trailers rocking, and hard on its heels came the thunder, lightening, and heavy rain. Sleepless and restless, the crew wondered and worried about the birds. Once it was all over they all headed out to check the three pen sites. Downed trees meant taking the long way around to get to Site 1. At Site 2, some of the posts supporting the top net were down and had to be reset and the net fixed. At Site 4, the top net was right down in the wet pen (which, Bev says, due to the lack of water should really be called the ‘mud pen’) and had been pulled away from the posts in one section. The birds could have just walked out or flown away. Everyone pitched in to get the pens back in good repair. The weather was clear this morning however, and good to go for training with all three Cohorts. The sessions all went well. As usual, Cohort 1 had an extra 'trainee', as 101 once again joined the group. Bev said she saw him in the marsh yesterday with a group of Sandhills. They were all unison calling and 101 joined in before departing with them when they flew off. Wondering why this report is being written by me and not one of the crew at Necedah? The storm knocked out their power, and until it is restored updates are by cell phone instead of email. View the photos here in the 2007 Summer photo journal. Date: August 10, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Health Update Location: Main Office Dr. Barry Hartup reported this afternoon that due to an intractable respiratory condition, DAR738 was euthanized today. His problem began about a week after his transfer from ICF to Necedah. A tomography scan done at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary School found a 4cm+ long obstruction in chick’s right main airway of the chick which was completely blocking the flow of air to its right lung. While a necropsy will be performed, Dr. Hartup said he presumed that this would turn out to be another case of tracheal aspergillosis similar to that which took 718. Date: August 9, 2007 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Rain would help us with our 'parenting' Location: Main Office All birds and animals have parents, but each one receives different amounts and different kinds of parental care. Insects, fish, and reptiles for instance, provide little if any care to their offspring. With their more highly developed brains, mammals and birds need to learn more to survive. In the wild, Whooping cranes learn what they need to know from their parents of course. Our captive-hatched chicks on the other hand, have to make do with us as surrogates. Part of good Whooping crane parenting is showing one's offspring what is good habitat for foraging and roosting. We need to encourage them to seek out marshy wetlands for both. But it's been very dry at Necedah. The team has been concerned about the water situation as systems bearing rain have, for the most part, circumvented the area. That changed today however, when the refuge received a good two hours of steady rainfall. The overcast skies and precipitation meant there could be no flight training this morning, but everyone agreed that at this point, water was more important than a day's training. The weatherman says there is a chance of more light rain showers this afternoon. Hope he's right! A quick look on the Internet for historical data on rainfall revealed that on average, the area receives almost 12 inches of rain between April and July. Last year for the same period the total was less than 8 inches, and while we couldn’t find exact data for 2007, most folks think it was even less. Date: August 7, 2007 - Entry 2 Reporter: Nathan Hurst Subject: Who's the Boss? Location: Wisconsin Although we've gotten a little rain, for the most part, the weather has once again circumvented us, and it's getting dry. We've had to release water from the northern reservoirs, but even so the wet pens are more ‘pen’ than ‘wet.’ And now the reservoirs are getting dry too. The upshot however is, that we've been able to do a lot of training - aside from today, when we were fogged in - and the chicks are doing very well. Yesterday Brooke took Cohort 1 on four consecutive laps around the training area, and every single bird stayed with him. After giving them a rest he tried again, but only half had the energy to stay with him for the next circuit. Still, their performance is impressive, and we've been getting similarly positive results at the other sites. Earlier in the week I emerged from the pen at Site 4 to see Chris displaying to 101, and was able to get this candid shot. 101, taking the deliberate steps of a crane defending his territory, walked slowly away as Chris followed him, holding his puppet in a confrontational pose and quickly stamping his feet. After a minute or two, 101 decided