Date: May 31, 2008 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Training Update Location: Maryland It's raining right now. The cats and dogs type of rain where even just a quick sprint across the compound leaves you drenched. And, as always, its a good news, bad news type of rain. The good news is that it is always needed, especially after the draught of last year. The bad news is that it is screwing up our bird training/walking/swimming. But there is even good news there, too -we're getting a much needed break and I'm able to do this update. We have enough chicks now that they are split between the two buildings, the Prop building and the CCB or chick building. They are separated by a short distance that involves either driving, if you have equipment or supplies, or walking up a small hill if empty handed. All of Cohort 1 is in the Prop and all the younger chicks 812-817 are in the CCB. This makes for a busy day, constantly shuttling from one building to the next. Currently the staff is fairly well split with Claire and Garry helping out at the CCB and myself on duty in the Prop. Brooke is working on the trike, a rare opportunity since it seems to be in constant motion throughout the day. We're currently training all the birds through 813, with the exception on 806 who is under the weather, so to speak. Yesterday was the first training day for both 812 and 813 with excellent jobs done by both chicks. It was actually their first time even out for a walk and with minimal coaxing, they were soon following the trike in circuits at the circle pen. 813 took to the trike a little quicker and with less fear, but so far both of these birds were the easiest to train. We had hoped to train 814 this afternoon, but the rain squashed that idea. He'll have to wait until tomorrow for his first time. In between rain showers, we're trying to socialize the chicks in Cohort 1. So far, we have combined 804 and 805 with great success and we're going to try to introduce 803 to the duo. Last time we tried that, 803 was a little too aggressive toward the younger chicks, so we have given him some time to regroup and hopefully mellow out. We've also put 810 and 809 together, 810 and 811 and 809 and 807 - trying different combinations. With the proposed ship date of June 24th, we're feeling the crunch in trying to get the chicks together into a cohesive unit. It is a fairly involved process starting with two chicks, adding another or perhaps two if the personalities click. We then walk them several times, train them together and let them get used to the intermediate pens at the White Series. All this is supervised and takes lots of man hours. Thank goodness; not only for the staff here at Patuxent, but also for our interns and all the volunteers. It takes a village... So, that's my rainy day story. The rain has finally let up and its time to start walking chicks, but first I have to start rounding up staff that's scattered over the campus. Date: May 30, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: MORE CHICK NEWS Location: Main Office We read Dan Fantore’s GuestBook entry saying, “This expectant Dad is pacing the floor bare wondering how the chicks are doing--and any more?” - - so we thought we'd better deliver some chick news before he wore out his carpet. Bev reports that two more Patuxent eggs have hatched; 816 late evening on May 28, and 817 made its appearance a little earlier today. This 'reporter'' will be away next week, but Field Journal readers are being left in Joe and Heather's capable hands. Date: May 26, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: WELCOME 815 Location: Main Office Bev said it was a, "wild day" at Patuxent today. It took her a while to find 5 minutes of quiet to call and report this morning's arrival of 815, the third hatch from eggs sent to Patuxent from the Calgary Zoo. The first two 'Canadians' were 802 who died May 23, and 813 which hatched May 24. There is still one more egg incubating from Calgary's last shipment. Date: May 26, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: MEET THE CLASS OF 2008 Location: Main Office Thanks to Heather, the Class of 2008 webpage is now available. In addition to photos of the chicks, the page lists the egg sources; hatch dates; gender (once known); band color; and their early character traits and ‘firsts’. We will add to the page as more chicks are hatched, and continue to build the page with photos and brief comments as they grow and mature. The webpage for the Class of 2008 is also available via the Site Map under the heading "Whooping Crane Photos & Bios." Date: May 25, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: HATCH #14 Location: Main Office The chick crew at Patuxent have had their hands full with the last two hatches occurring in the wee hours. 814 hatched out overnight from an egg supplied by the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species in New Orleans, LA (ACRES). Date: May 24, 2008 - Entry 4 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: ABOUT MILEMAKER Location: Main Office Many of you have been emailing to inquire about MileMaker 2008, which we usually launch on April 1st. As you know, because of the research and development of the new, more westerly migration route, we weren’t able to keep to that date this year. While there is still one stopover location to confirm with the property owner, we are working on calculating the miles for the entire route and all the migration legs, as well as creating a migration map and the various MileMaker pages for posting on the website. Please bear with us. Hopefully we will have everything ready and posted in the next 7 to 10 days. To determine the cost of a MileMaker sponsorship, our usual practice is to divide the total of our estimated migration expenses by the number of migration miles to be flown. In 2008, we estimate our expenses will rise considerably due to the high cost of fuel. However, we are keeping the increase to MileMaker to a modest $2 per mile – from $206 to $208. Our thanks to the many who have inquired about MileMaker and have been patiently waiting for its launch. It won’t be long now. Date: May 24, 2008 - Entry 3 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: EXERCISING THE CHICKS Location: Maryland We took the chicks outside for exercise today under bright sun and wispy clouds. They are all doing quite well, and learning to get along with each other. Top Left: That's 806 in the background, 805 leading the way, and 804 off to the right - all out for one of their daily walks. Bottom Left: Basking in the red glow for the heat lamp in his pen, we get our first look at 812. Bottom Right: Bev, with the help of robo-crane, leads 806 and 804 to the entrance to the circle pen to start their day's training. Date: May 24, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: 813 ARRIVED Location: Main Office Bev called this morning with the news that 813 had hatched out overnight. 813 is from an egg shipped to Patuxent from the Calgary Zoo. Coming soon - the 2008 chick photos and bio page. In addition, this year OM will be working in conjunction with Journey North to provide information and updates on the Class of 2008. Date: May 24, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Message in a Bottle Location: Main Office This article contains some interesting facts and consciousness-raising points we thought worth sharing. The water that comes out of most city taps in Canada is pretty clean. Yet many people prefer to spend money on bottled water, believing that it is somehow safer. Now we’re learning that the stuff in plastic water bottles may be more harmful than anything in our tap water. 'Bisphenol A' is just one chemical that’s been in the news recently – and in many plastic bottles. This compound mimics estrogens (human female hormones) and has been linked to breast and ovarian cancers and childhood developmental problems. It is found in clear, hard polycarbonate plastic commonly used in household and commercial water coolers and some reusable bottles, and it’s just one potentially harmful substance associated with plastic containers. The presence of chemicals isn’t the only reason we should try to wean ourselves from the bottle, though. For one thing, bottled water is expensive, costing more than a comparable amount of gasoline. Unlike most nations on Earth, Canada has vast quantities of fresh water. Have we so polluted our water that we feel compelled to pay a lot for it? And from beginning to end (and for plastics, that end is a long time away), plastic bottles contribute to environmental problems. To start, the manufacturing process is a factor in global warming and depletion of energy resources. It takes close to 17 million barrels of oil to produce the 30 billion water bottles that U.S. citizens go through every year. Or, as the National Geographic website illustrates it: "Imagine a water bottle filled a quarter of the way up with oil. That’s about how much oil was needed to produce the bottle." It also takes more water to produce a bottle than the bottle itself will hold. Canadians consume more than two billion litres of bottled water a year, and globally, we consume about 50 billion US gallons a year. Unfortunately, most of those bottles – more than 85 per cent, in fact – get tossed into the trash rather than the recycling bin. The pollution from plastics affects our air, land, and water. Many plastic bottles end up in landfills or get incinerated, and burning plastic releases toxic chemicals into the air. Plastic that stays on land or that is buried can take hundreds of years to break down, and even then, it doesn’t completely biodegrade. One of the most disturbing things is what happens to plastic that ends up in the oceans – which is about 10 per cent of all plastic produced, according to Greenpeace. About 550 miles off the coast of California, a massive, expanding island of plastic debris 100 feet deep and bigger than the province of Quebec, swirls in what is known as the North Pacific Gyre. In a recent column for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s website, writer Heather Mallick described it as "a hideous chyme [semi-fluid mass] stretching and pulsing in the sea like an underwater gob of spiky phlegm." Plastic doesn’t biodegrade; rather, it photodegrades, which means that, under sunlight, it just keeps breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces. The tiniest bits of plastic, called nurdles, enter the food chain when they are eaten by marine animals and birds. Nurdles also soak up toxins, adding to the poisons consumed by animals and every creature up the food chain. More than a million birds and marine animals die every year from eating plastic waste or from becoming entangled in plastics. If the environmental damage caused by plastic bottles or the existence of potentially toxic chemicals in the bottles isn't enough to make you avoid them, how about some reasons that hit closer to home? First there’s the fact that many bottlers get their water from municipal supplies. Coca Cola filters and bottles water from municipal sources in Calgary, Alberta and Brampton, Ontario for its Dasani brand. Pepsi's Aquafina comes mostly from Vancouver, British Columbia and Mississauga, Ontario. That's right: they're taking your tap water and selling it back to you at a markup that can be as high as 3,000 times the price you pay for it through your taxes. There's also a danger that governments may use the growing reliance on bottled water as an excuse to avoid their responsibility to ensure we have access to safe drinking water. The federal government must address any existing concerns about drinking-water quality with enforceable standards designed to protect human health. If you're worried about chlorine in your drinking water, put it in a pitcher and let it stand overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate – or consider buying a carbon activated filter for your tap. To carry water with you, fill up your stainless steel or glass bottle from the tap, and enjoy. Water is a precious resource that belongs to all of us. Let’s not take it for granted. And let’s not put it in plastic. Reprinted from “Science Matters” a column by Dr. David Suzuki, PhD and Dr. Faisal Moola. Dr. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author, and chair of the David Suzuki Foundation which he founded. He is Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO's Kalinga Prize for science, the United Nations Environment Program medal, and Global 500. Dr. Suzuki is Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and holds 22 honorary degrees from universities around the world. He is familiar to television audiences as host of the long-running CBC television program 'The Nature of Things', and to radio audiences as the original host of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks, as well as the acclaimed series It's a Matter of Survival, and From Naked Ape to Superspecies. His written work includes more than 43 books. Dr. Faisal Moola is the Director of Science at the David Suzuki Foundation. He is a practicing scientist and has published widely in scientific journals on many topics in the areas of wildlife biology, conservation, and environmental policy. He has conducted research in some of Canada’s most significant wilderness areas, such as the great northern Boreal Forest, the old-growth rainforests of British Columbia, and the Acadian woodlands of Atlantic Canada. He has also been a university lecturer.  Date: May 23, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Chick MORTALITY Location: Main Office Yesterday, Bev reported that handlers found 802 had lost 10% of his body weight overnight. As a result he was hospitalized. Sadly, we have to report that 802 has died of causes not as yet determined. Date: May 22, 2008 - Entry 4 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: Bev’s Chick Report & PHOTOS Location: Maryland Time has taken on an unearthly quality. At moments, it seems to stand still, yet at others it moves at hyper-speed, too fast to keep up with. The birds are growing before our eyes; so fast that when I come back from my days off, I can't keep straight which chick is which. Who was cute and fuzzy two days ago, is now tall and aloof. Who was struggling to eat, is now eating too much and is in need of extra exercise. The evolvement makes my head spin. We're already socializing some of the older chicks with some success, more or less. As long as we keep the birds moving, either on a walk or in the circle pen, everyone gets along. As soon as we stop moving, the posturing and pecking starts, so it’s off and running again. All the birds to date, with the exception of 811, the youngest, have been outside, and 809 aside, all have started their trike training. 809 is suffering from enteritis, a not uncommon chick ailment, and is being medicated. He is doing well and we anticipate introducing him to the trike very soon. And all the ordinary things continue, toe taping, cleaning pens, weighing chicks, mowing over watered grass (thanks to the excessive rainfall we have received), walking, swimming, training, etc. Some good news and some not so good news today. At lunchtime, 812 (ICF egg) hatched out. This morning 802 was taken to the hospital. When handlers did the early morning weighing, they discovered he’s lost 10% of his body weight overnight. An x-ray showed something pressing on his air sac. A barium x-ray is planned. Yesterday, we received two shipments of eggs: 3 eggs from the Calgary Zoo, and 1 from ACRES in New Orleans. We're keeping our fingers crossed that all are viable. The anticipated hatch dates for all four eggs are this weekend, so it’s going to get very busy again, very soon. Above: The costume takes 801, 802, 803, and 804 on their first group walk. Below: 807 is just a' boogying it after the crane puppet. Above: The first four chicks in the Class of 2008 get some free time to forage after their first group walk. Below: 807 - Get away from my mealworm! Our first look at the offspring of 313* & 318. That's 810 on the left and 811 on the right. Date: May 22, 2008 - Entry 3 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: WRAPPING UP IMBD Location: Main Office Migratory birds travel long distances between breeding and non-breeding sites, making this year’s International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) theme - "From Tundra to Tropics - Connecting Birds, Habitat and People – most appropriate. May 10, IMBD 2008, gave us all an opportunity to celebrate birds and bird conservation. And once again, Operation Migration was lucky enough to do its celebrating at Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK). It is hard to imagine there are many organizations that do a better job of connecting birds and habitat than the Disney folks, or a better place to be on IMBD that at Animal Kingdom. We had a terrific time speaking with hundreds of adults and kids that stopped by our exhibit, but as usual, it was Disney's many cast members - some old friends, and some new - that made it an especially awesome and happy experience. It is rare to meet so many dedicated, generous, and congenial people; the Disney cast literally 'wow' us each year. The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF - recently renamed the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund) is the only granting organization that has supported Operation Migration and our work with the Whooping crane, every single year since the project's inception. DWCF’s many other supports aside, its financial contributions to OM over the years total more than $145,000! We salute and send thanks to some very special friends who made our time at DAK 'magical': DAK's Zoological Manager Scott Tidmus and Special Events and Media Manager, Alex McMichael; DWCF's Grants Administrator Kim Sams, and Claire Michael who is with Walt Disney World's Conservation Initiatives.   OM's trike and pictorial display booth were set up at DAK's Conservation Station under the larger than life facade of Rafiki's Planet. In the photo, the day's first visitors begin to arrive under bright blue skies, braving temps that hovered in the mid 90's. Scott Tidmus stands beside the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund's picture board depicting many of the activities Disney cast members have volunteered their time to assist with. Behind our display table are (left to right) Walter Sturgeon, a Director on OM's Board, and we are proud to say, one of Disney's 2007 Wildlife Conservation Heroes, and stalwart OM volunteer, Mark Chenoweth of Kissimmee, FL.  In costume in the center of the photo is young Taylor Richter, son of Karen and OM Board of Director Dale Richter. Not quite captured in the front left of the photo is crowd favorite, Launchpad McDuck. Date: May 22, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: WOOD BUFFALO-ARANSAS POPULATION UPDATE Location: Main Office Whooping Crane Recovery co-chair and Canadian Wildlife Service biologist, Brian Johns advises that conditions on the breeding grounds in the northeastern corner of Wood Buffalo National Park and adjacent areas are better than expected. Weather stations on either side of the nesting area reported below normal snowfall levels. The abundance of rain during late August and September of 2007 however, resulted in  higher than expected water levels producing normal to above normal habitat conditions through out the majority of the nesting area. Whooping crane breeding pair surveys carried out by the Canadian Wildlife Service between May 16 and 19 discovered 72 territorial pairs. Although six of the territorial pairs were not breeding this year, the result was still a record 66 nests. Brian reported that they also discovered another 12 sub-adult pairs, bring the total pairs in this population to 84. He said they found single cranes scattered throughout the nesting area. Date: May 22, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: LPBO BANDS 750,000th BIRD Location: Main Office The Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO), at Long Point, Ontario reached a major milestone in April, becoming the first North American migration monitoring station to band 750,000 birds. The 3/4-million mark was reached when long-time volunteer, Hugh McArthur, banded a Brown Creeper at LPBO's Old Cut Field Station. Using standard protocols, researchers at LPBO have been placing a uniquely numbered metal band around a birds’ legs since 1960. At the same time, information such as the bird's species, wing length, age, fat content, sex, and weight are also recorded. After 48 years of research, LPBO houses a vast, diverse, and valuable data set on North America's migratory birds. Together with the efforts of other stations in Canada, the U.S., and Central and South America, the banding information collected has helped identify global ranges and population trends for hundreds of North American bird species. LPBO is North America's oldest bird observatory, and it will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010. More information can be found at: http://www.birdscanada.org/longpoint/ Excerpted from E-bulletin on the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) website. Date: May 20, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: EASTERN MIGRATORY POPULATION (EMP) UPDATE Location: Main Office As of May 17th, 59 of the 72 Whooping cranes in the EMP (39 males and 33 females) were confirmed back in Wisconsin. This total includes all of the Class of 2007 with the exception of 714 which was predated while returning north, and 727* which is in Illinois and still making her way north. (* = female; DAR = Direct Autumn Release) Spring Migration 733 completed his migration to the Necedah refuge on May 6 and roosted that night in Juneau County. 727* moved from Sullivan County, IN to Vermillion County, IL by mid May. Florida 516 was still in Marion County when last checked on May 15. Michigan DAR533* last reported in Mason County April 11. DARs737, 739*, 742*, 744* and 746* remain in Tuscola County, MI having returned there after some spring wandering. DARs 737 and 742* do not carry PTTs so confirmation of their status is not possible. DAR740 was in Mason County before moving to Allegan County. Wisconsin News A potential new pair, 107* & 506, are in Adams County. 501* & 105, a newly formed pair, were on the Necedah Refuge. Neither pair nested. W601* & 310 have paired on the refuge. They built a nest but the 2 year old female did not produce any eggs. 209*NFT the mate of 416NFT has a severe limp associated with an injured right leg. 735* remains in a top-netted pen at Site 1 on the Necedah NWR. Because of reported human avoidance problems, trackers retrieved 716*, 717*, 721*, and 726* from Dane County on May 13 and relocated them to the Necedah refuge. 724, who was also at that location, evaded capture, but subsequently was observed in flight over the refuge. May 16 he moved to another area in Dane County as did 721*. Current Location Unknown 316NFT last observed on the Necedah refuge March 30. 420* last reported in Clark County, WI March 30. 524NFT last reported departing Fayette County, IN on April 15. DAR527* last reported leaving Jackson County, IN March 16/17. An unconfirmed sighting in Fond du Lac County, IN on April 17 may have been this bird. 524NFT last reported departing Fayette County, IN April 16. Long Term Missing (more than 90 days) 205NFT last recorded at Necedah Oct. 16/07. 201*NFT last recorded in WI June 9 and suspected dead. Nesting Summary Pair Began Incubation Nest Status Activity (*= See Note ) 211 & 217* April 7 Abandoned May 6 2 eggs collected, 1 fertile (*1) 213 & 218* April 8 or 9 Abandoned May 6 1 egg collected 317 & 303* April 9 or 10 Failed by May 5 2 eggs - 1 predated, 1 late embryo death 403 & 309* April 8 or 9 Failed May 3   505 & 415* Before April 14 Failed by April 30   416 & 209* Before April 14 Failed by April 14   212 & 419* Unknown Failed by May 5 1 egg collected / infertile 318 & 313* April 13 or 14 Failed May 6 2 fertile, viable eggs collected (*2) 311 & 312* April 15 -17 Failed by May 5 1 non-viable fertile egg collected 401 & 508* April 16 Failed by May 1   408 & 519* April 23 Failed before May 5   *1 (Photo to right is 211 on dummy eggs) 211 & 217 incubated until the morning of May 6 when they deserted their two eggs. Both eggs were collected and replaced with dummy eggs (crane eggshells filled with plaster). That night the pair returned and resumed incubation, so May 7th afternoon a costumed biologist flushed the birds and switched back one real egg for the dummy eggs. The female eventually resumed incubation for the night, but again deserted the nest the morning of May 8. The egg, which was by this time peeping, was collected and again replaced with a dummy. No incubation was noted that night or the following day, but the pair did return to incubate on the night of May 9. The pair left the nest early in May 10 and did not return until evening, when they resumed incubation. They continued to incubate normally and attentively during the following three days. The male was incubating the evening of May 13 and the pair strongly defended their nest when a costumed biologist returned to remove the dummy egg. *2 313* & 318 incubated until their nest failed on the morning of 6 May. 2 viable, fertile eggs were collected and replaced with two dummy eggs. The adults returned to the nest that night and they incubated normally most of the following day and night. The morning of May 8 the pair left the nest and did not return and the dummy eggs were collected. Update compiled from data supplied by WCEP's Tracking Team. Date: May 17, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: ANOTHER HATCH Location: Main Office Bev called moments ago (2:30pm) to advise that 811 had just hatched. In fact, Patuxent vet Dr. Glen Olsen was just coming in to check out the new arrival. 811 hatched from one of the eggs laid in Necedah. We are going to put together a little chart showing the chick numbers, their hatch dates and where they came from as eggs, and will post it when we have it all gathered together. The next egg expected to hatch - in a few days - is from the captive flock at Patuxent. Date: May 17, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Wood Buffalo/Aransas Population Update Location: Main Office Tom Stehn, Whooping Crane Coordinator at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge advises that only a single Whooping crane was located on his May 15 aerial census of the refuge and surround areas. "The rest of the flock has migrated north, with most of the birds presumably on the nesting grounds in Canada," Stehn said. The estimated size of the western population remains at a record 266 birds, consisting of ~144 adults, 83 sub-adults, and 39 juveniles. Tom reported there was no evidence of any Whooping crane mortality having occurred this past winter or as yet in the spring migration. Tom's next aerial census will not be until late October, but in the meantime, they will continue to monitor the one remaining crane from the ground. Date: May 16, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: ROAD TRIP AND CHICKS Location: New York ROAD TRIP: Joe and I are on our way back from International Migratory Bird Day at Disney's Animal Kingdom and are closing in on home. At the invitation of Curator of Birds, Donna Bear-Hull, we visited the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens on Sunday, where, with Walt Sturgeon's help, we put the trike on display and talked with zoo visitors who stopped by. Joe delivered two presentations before we wound up a second consecutive great, but long day. Monday was a marathon driving day . We unloaded the back of the trailer and re-tied down the trikes securely, loaded back up and were on the road headed north by 7:45am. 14 loooong hours later we arrived in Laurel, MD for our next stop - Patuxent. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent catching up and working with the crew there, and getting updated on the chick hatches and egg expectations. Then, after two meetings this morning, we made it as far as mid-state New York. Tomorrow we'll leave in time to be in Niagara Falls, NY in the morning for a first-thing meeting with reps at our bank there. Hope that explains the scarcity of journal entries the past while and you will forgive us. BUT what we do have for you is a brief report from Bev and some photos to share. CHICK NEWS: Necedah egg number 3 became 810 when it hatched out early this morning. This brings the number of potential chicks for the first ultralight-led cohort to 8. Why only 8? Because either 807 or 809 will be a genetic holdback, and one bird has a health problem which may prevent it from becoming part of the program. Bev said, "Swimming exercise has begun for 801, 802, and 803- and that all three took to the pool quite well. 804 and 805 have been introduced to the trike engine and both were a little afraid. 806 was exposed to the engine this morning and didn't seem to mind too badly. Then for afternoon training, Brooke started the engine and took him on several circuits around the circle pen." Above: Patuxent Chick Rearer Extraordinaire Brian Clauss checks the eggs in the incubator. Below: 803 thoroughly enjoyed its 'stroll in the park', tripping along through the grass on an extra long walk. Above: Our biggest and oldest chick, 801, runs along flapping its stubby wings to keep up with Brooke in the circle pen. Below: 802 was so wiped out from its swimming exercise it could are less about the yummy meal worms the puppet was dispensing. Above: 804 needed little encouragement from costumed handler Brooke on its outing, although once in a while its bum got ahead of his feet. Below: Too cute and so timid. 806 was more interested in cuddling up to the costume than in getting any exercise or snagging a tasty meal worm. Above: Now this was one hungry chick! The puppet couldn't dispense the meal worms fast enough to keep this little guy satisfied. Below: Where is it? Where is it? The puppet dispensed the meal worms in the grass to teach 805 how to forage. As you can see, it was paying close attention. Date: May 15, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Heather Ray Subject: CHANGE4CRANES Location: Main Office Last June we called upon our Craniac Kids to help advance our cause by sharing our story within their communities and collect spare change through the Change4Cranes fundraising drive. We were immediately overwhelmed with the requests for these kits – almost 4,000 were sent to more than 100 schools! As the school year quickly draws to a close we’d like to remind those that have not yet submitted the results of their collection efforts that a new class of Whooping cranes is currently hatching… and by the time you return to school in the fall they will already be approaching the point in their young lives when they must learn a very important migration route. Each and every penny collected through the Change4Cranes initiative will help them reach their new winter home in Florida. Again, thank you VERY much for your continued support! Date: May 14, 2008 - Entry 3 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: 2ND GENETIC HOLDBACK CHICK HATCHES Location: Maryland News can't be faster than this. 809 just hatched. It may not be part of the ultralight program however as it is a possible genetic holdback. This chick is a sibling of 807 who came from a captive bird that has never produced before. Date: May 14, 2008 - Entry 3 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: WELCOME OUR NEW INTERNS Location: Maryland Field Journal readers will recall an earlier entry about the pool used to swim the chicks at Patuxent having collapsed. This called for a replacement pool, and it was constructed in lots of time before the first of the chicks in the Class of 2008 needed their swimming exercise. In the photo L-R are Patuxent's Jonathan Male, Robert Doyle, OM Intern Garry Foltz, and Patuxent's college intern, Erin. Missing from the photo is the 'mastermind' behind the pool construction, Patuxent biologist Dan Sprague. Dan's involvement with Operation Migration dates all the way back to when we were working with Canada geese. The dummy imprint models also got their spring spruce up. They were all cleaned and freshened up with a new coat of paint. 808 hatched out Sunday night. The other to Necedah eggs are likely to hatch before the week is out. In addition, there is one Patuxent egg that has pipped so it shouldn't be too long before we see another chick. 802 had circle pen training yesterday and 803 foraged around the trike with the engine running for the first time. This is the last step before he actually starts circle pen training. Bev's favorite chick, 801, continues to pack away the food and is growing like a weed. It seems it is also an over achiever, and is learning as fast as can be. The photo to the right shows 802 when it was out for exercise. Almost looks like it is jogging along. To the left is a photo of little 806 when it was still in ICU. Date: May 14, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: WELCOME OUR NEW INTERNS Location: Maryland Meet Garry and Claire Foltz, our two new interns. Gary and Claire hail from Chippewa Falls, WI and have left their six grandchildren behind to join the OM Team for the 2008 season. They will be with us through to the end of the migration. In addition to doing considerable traveling between their native Wisconsin and Florida and Texas, they enjoy birding and have volunteered at the Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek, WI. Joe and I met Garry and Claire for the first time yesterday here at Patuxent, and were impressed by their enthusiasm. Their dedication to the chicks is already evident. They told us, "We are excited about being part of the OM crew and looking forward to continuing to work with the chicks at Necedah and on the migration." Bev and Brooke said they are delighted with Garry and Claire's work and how fast they are catching on to the many chick rearing tasks that need to be performed every day. Date: May 14, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: 808 ARRIVED Location: Maryland 808 has hatched and hopefully, there should be three more chicks on the scene before the end of the week; two from the remaining Necedah eggs and one Patuxent egg.   Our newest chick 808. 804 tucked under the brood model. 802 stops 'to smell the roses'. Date: May 12, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: HATCHES AND CHICK UPDATE Location: Maryland On May 7th, we reported that the last three of this season's eleven nests were abandoned and that 5 eggs were recovered and taken to ICF. (2 eggs from 211 & 217*; one egg from 213 & 218*; and two eggs from 318 & 313*.) Since that time there has been much activity. While the WCEP team was discussing the disposition of the collected eggs, First Family parents, 211 & 217*, returned to their nest and proceeded to sit on the dummy eggs left in place of those that had been collected. This prompted the team to chance returning one of their real eggs to the nest to see if they would indeed resume incubating. When the team arrived to replace the egg, the pair defended their nest, and then foraged for a while in the vicinity. By dark, one of the adults was sitting on the egg. Shortly after nine the next morning however, the pair left the nest and flew off, so the peeping egg was again picked up and taken to ICF. Given what happened with the first return egg attempt and that a couple of the eggs were peeping, the field team decided not to make any more egg swaps. (Four of the eggs collected were viable. One of the eggs collected from the First Family was infertile with the contents completely broken down and rotting.) With two eggs of the four fertile collected eggs either pipping or peeping it was decided to transport them to Patuxent for incubation and hatching. ICF's Marianne Wellington flew to Maryland and delivered them to Patuxent on Friday. She also brought with her the first egg produced by ICF's captive population. Both of 313 and 318*'s eggs were moving well before before shipping and by the time Marianne and the eggs arrived at Baltimore airport, 218* and 213's chick had rotated and probably would have hatched had it had a bit more room. 217* and 211's egg had pipped. 804 arrived on the scene just before the weekend and we should have a picture of it soon from Bev - her initial photo wasn't quite up to her standards. 805 has hatched out and the photo of it shown to the right was taken almost immediately after it emerged from the egg. The photo below shows the egg of soon to be 806 (left) and 805 before hatch (on the right). Both of these chicks hatched on Friday. 805's parents are 213 * 218* and 806 belongs to the First Family adults. 807 hatched during the night on Saturday. This was a Patuxent egg from a first time layer and is likely to be a genetic holdback. Another Patuxent egg is likely to hatch by Sunday morning if it doesn't hatch overnight. Bev reported three firsts for three chicks on Saturday: 801 had its first circle pen training session. 802 had its first exposure to the trike and real engine noise; and 803 was taken outside for his first walk. Date: May 11, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: 727 POSSIBLY LOCATED Location: Florida Thanks to a sighting report, it appears as if 727, the only Class of 2007 bird to have not yet completed its spring migration, may not be far from her last known location (April 10) in Sullivan County, IN. Trackers are checking video recorded by the member of the public who observed the bird to see if they can decipher her leg bands and confirm it is 727. Date: May 11, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: IMBD A HUGE SUCCESS AT DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM (DAK) Location: Florida 92 degrees and bright, sunny blue skies yesterday brought folks out in droves to the Disney parks and Animal Kingdom for International Migratory Bird Day. For the third year, OM was the guest of Disney for this special day and it was definitely the best ever. Helping Joe and I on site were Craniacs Mark and Peggy Chenoweth of Kissimmee, FL, and Wanda Easton from Tampa. Also on hand were volunteers (and members of OM's Board) Walter Sturgeon and Dale Richter along with his wife Karen and son Taylor. In the searing heat, Taylor was the only one brave enough to don a costume and circulate in the crowd to greet both adults and kids. Two of Disney's cast members we especially want to recognize and thank for the terrific day are Scott Tidmus, Zoological Manger at DAK, and Alex McMichael, Manager, Special Events and Media. Each year they both put out a lot of time and effort on OM's behalf, and being hosted by them is to be treated like royalty. At tip of the mouse ears to both Scott and Alex. Hopefully we'll have more about IMBD at Disney to pass on in future entries, but for now, above is a photo of the crew who worked OM's display and exhibit yesterday. (Back Row L-R: Mark Chenoweth, Dale Richter, Karen Richter, Scott Tidmus. Center Row L-R: Walter Sturgeon, Peggy Chenoweth, Liz Condie, Alex McMichael. Front Row L-R: Joe Duff and Taylor Richter. (Missing from the photo is volunteer Wanda Easton.) Date: May 7, 2008 - Entry 3 Reporter: Bev Paulan Subject: BEV'S CHICK UPDATE Location: Maryland We’re heeeeere! At Patuxent that is. After a driving marathon of 55 hours over the course of ten days (that was only 4 trips; and that was me), an airplane trip from Baltimore to Tampa (again, me), a bout with the flu (that would be Brooke), we finally arrived at Patuxent with no time to spare. 801 decided to grace the world early and we missed the blessed moment by a day. When we did arrive, it was with both feet hitting the ground running. Not only were there chick duties right off the bat (time to put on the chick mama hat), but a new pool had to be erected, the aviary, which had been ready to go, needed to be re-assembled, carpets and mats rewashed and then there was a trike to get ready. And that was just the first day! After having spent the better part of the last three months on the road scouting the new migration route, it’s hard to get back into ‘chick mode’. Not unlike childbirth, after it’s over (chick rearing, that is) one tends to forget the pain and look lovingly back on the cute, cuddly youngsters. One forgets the toting of 50 pound feed bags, the searing heat in full costume, the crouching for hours on end feeding the little ones. Thank goodness for that selective memory, too, or one would not want to come back! But the chicks beckoned and we came, puppets in hand, eagerly anticipating the new season. 801 is the smartest, cutest, most personable chick ever! I know I said that about 702, last year’s first chick, but this time it’s really true. After just one day, he was eating and drinking on his own. Unheard of at that age! We have very high aspirations for this little guy - seems he has the makings of a true leader. (Note the tone of pride in my voice!) He even is eating so well, Brooke afraid he's going to be a little ‘porker'. Today, we took him outside for his first walk, and just like an old pro, he followed the puppet and gobbled mealworms. 802 is the spitting image of, well, every other Whooping Crane chick. In other words, absolutely adorable. He, too, is eating and drinking on his own, but it took him a little longer than his cohort mate. He is still a little shy, and takes a little coaxing, but once he starts eating, he gobbles ‘till he’s about ready to explode. It has taken a little bit of work to get him to drink due to his tendency to face plant in the water bowl. 803, who hatched at approximately 6:30pm last evening is still in his ICU, but we anticipate moving him to a big pen later today. He is still a little unsteady on his feet, and we want to make sure he is walking well on his own before the move. Even in his ICU, a little glimmer of personality has shown up, he seems quite the little 'ham'. There is a small camera on his ICU and quite often he positions himself to look right into the camera, even when we are trying to feed him. (To preclude any complaints about my suppositions, I know he can only see his reflection - if he can even focus at this age.) Break time is over; its time for more feeding, walking, blitzing, and whatever else needs doing.   Above: 801 on his first exposure to the great outdoors. Below: 802 basks in the warm glow of the heat lamp. Above: 801 takes his first walk. Below: 803 looks like he's posing for the camera. Date: May 7, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: Disappointing News from Necedah Location: Main Office Yesterday, on the warmest day at Necedah so far this season (low 80’s) in what has been a mostly cool and wet spring, the remaining three incubating pairs abandoned their nests. Two fertile eggs were recovered from each of the nests of 211 & 217* and 318 & 313*, and one egg, also fertile, was taken from the nest of 213 & 218*. All of the eggs were transferred to the International Crane Foundation. Abandoned nest of 211 & 217* with 2 eggs Abandoned nest of 213 & 218* with 1 egg Abandoned nest of  318 & 313* with 2 eggs The nest desertions are reminiscent of last April when, during the same short space of time, all four 2007 incubating pairs abandoned their nests. Then too, the birds leaving their nests appeared to be associated with a surge of warm weather. This was the second nest desertion for two pairs – 211 & 217* (parents of W601), and 213 & 218*. The other two pairs who left their nests in 2007 were 416 & 209*, and 317 & 303* a sibling pair. One of the eggs collected from the abandoned nests produced 717 - the offspring of 213 & 218*. Then, in mid May 2007, a passing cold front appeared to generate a flurry of nesting and re-nesting activity. While several pairs built nests, only the sibling pair 303 & 317* produced an egg which in the end turned out to be not viable. Needless to say, in addition to dashing the high hopes engendered by the potential 11 nests represented to the population, this most recent turn of events is accompanied by much conjecture. Is it weather related? A quick check revealed that on the breeding grounds of the Wood Buffalo-Aransas population the temperature this morning is 23 degrees with a forecast high of 46. What is going on? If only there really was a Dr. Doolittle. There will be no joy in WCEPville today. The fledgling Eastern Migratory Population has struck out. Date: May 7, 2008 - Entry 1 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: 733 COMPLETES MIGRATION Location: Main Office 733 completed his migration yesterday returning to the core reintroduction area to roost in Juneau County. He had last been detected on April 8th in northbound flight south of Chicago, IL where he encountered rain and strong winds. This leaves just one Class of 2007 bird who has yet to return. 727* was grounded in Sullivan County, IN on April 10 and that is where she was last detected on April 14. Date: May 6, 2008 - Entry 3 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: NEWS FROM PATUXENT Location: Main Office This just in from Bev in Patuxent. #1 chick for 2008 - 801 802 gets a drinking lesson Brooke feeding 802. 803 hasn't hatched as yet and Bev said there was no further progress on its pipping. Three more eggs were gathered from the captive flock, one of which looks viable with a potential hatch date of June 1. The viability of the other two eggs is still unknown. 802 has been moved to the big pen, and one of the adult birds from the Patuxent population has been placed nearby as a role model for the new chicks. The crew is hard at it erecting the chicks’ new swimming pool and Brooke is working to get the training trike ready. Date: May 6, 2008 - Entry 2 Reporter: Liz Condie Subject: EASTERN MIGRATORY POPULATION (EMP) UPDATE Location: Main Office As of May 3rd, 58 of the 72 Whooping cranes in EMP were confirmed back in Wisconsin, including 735 who was transported from Chassahowitzka to a pen on the Necedah refuge due to an injury. With the exception of 727* and 733 (and 714 who was predated while returning north) all of the Class of 2007 has now completed their spring migration. Currently, the estimated maximum size of the Eastern Migratory Population is 72 birds, 39 males and 33 females. (* = female; DAR = Direct Autumn Release) Recent Arrivals - 706, 712, and 713 were last detected in flight south of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula April 16, and completed their migration to the core reintroduction area April 30. - 707, 710 and 722* roosted in Waupaca County April 21 and completed their migration over the Necedah refuge on April 23. Florida 516 remains in Marion County, FL. Michigan - DAR’s 737, 739*, 742*, 744*, and 746* remain in Tuscola County, MI. - DAR740 and DAR 533* are in Mason County, MI. Current Location Unknown - 316NFT last observed on the Necedah refuge March 30. - 420* last reported in Clark County, WI March 30. - 524NFT last reported departing Fayette County, IN on April 16. Previous to this, 524 had not been located since Nov. 23/07 when he was at Jasper-Pulaski FWA. - DAR527* last reported leaving Jackson County, IN March 16/17. -727* was last observed April 14 in Sullivan County, IN where thunderstorms had grounded her on April 10. - 733 was last detected in flight during migration on April 8 when he encountered strong wind and rain south of Chicago. Long Term Missing (more than 90 days) - 205NFT last recorded at Necedah Oct. 16/07. - 201*NFT last recorded in WI June 9. Nesting Summary Pair Began Incubation Status 211 & 217* April 7 Incubating 213 & 218* April 8 or 9 Incubating 403 & 309* April 8 or 9 Nest failed May 3 317 & 303* April 9 or 10 Nest failed May 4 or 5 505 & 415* Before April 14 Nest failed by April 30 416 & 209* Before April 14 Nest failed by April 14 212 & 419* Unknown Nest failed by May 5 318 & 313* April 13 or 14 Incubating 311 & 312* April 15 or 16 Nest failed May 4 or 5 401 & 508* April 16 Nest failed by May 1 408 & 519*