Greetings all!
The following report is forwarded with permission from Tom Stehn, USFWS
biologist and US Whooping Crane Coordinator.
Where applicable, CWS stands for Canadian Wildlife Service; USFWS is US Fish and
Wildlife Service. Crane monitoring involves cooperative efforts and support by
both countries, plus many volunteers and non-profit organizations along the way.
Anyone wanting to contact Tom about the report or the whooping crane projects
can reach him via email at: tom_stehn@fws.gov. Other information, including
archived copies of these reports, can be found at the Texas Whooping Crane web
site at http://www.ccbirding.com/
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An aerial census on 27 April, 2005 of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and
surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes present at Aransas at
0 adults + 1 young = 1 total. The current estimated size of the Aransas-Wood
Buffalo population is 182 + 33 = 215.
Recap of cranes observed on the flight: (1)
adults + young
Refuge 0 + 1
Lamar -
San Jose -
Matagorda -
Welder Flats -
Total 0 + 1 = 1
Remarks: Excellent viewing conditions and moderate winds were present all
morning. Major portions of the crane area were flown in a 4-hour census,
including the most likely locations where cranes could have been present.
An estimated 33 whooping cranes (27 adults and 6 young) have started the
migration since the last flight on April 13. Whooping cranes have been confirmed
on the northern edge of the agricultural country in Saskatchewan, and some have
presumably completed the migration to Wood Buffalo National Park, a 2-day flight
further north across forest lands.
At Aransas, the only whooping crane located was the injured Lobstick juvenile on
its Dunham Bay territory. However, this chick seems to be doing well. It has
shown remarkable recovery since receiving a major
head/upper neck injury (possibly hit by a raptor or bit by a snake). The lower
neck may still be a little swollen, but the head seemed to be held normally most
of the time. Its injury has undoubtedly delayed this crane's migration. But it
should do fine with lots of crabs available to eat if it decides to stay at
Aransas throughout the summer. If it feels strong enough, it could also migrate
and would be able to find its way back to the crane summer area in Northwest
Territories, Canada.
Sometime between 0830 and 1130 a.m., the Lobstick chick flew across the GIWW and
was located near the edge of Carlos Bay. We will continue to monitor the
Lobstick chick by boat. If we are unable to find it, then the
airplane may be used to do a more complete search.
All in all, 2004-05 was an excellent winter for the whooping crane flock. Two
cranes from the peak flock size of 217 died while at Aransas, leaving 215 in the
spring, an increase of 22 from the 193 present last spring. Let us hope the
cranes do as well in 2005!
Tom Stehn
Whooping Crane Coordinator
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Aransas NWR
P.O. Box 100
Austwell, TX 77950
(361) 286-3559 Ext. 221
fax (361) 286-3722
E:mail: tom_stehn@fws.gov
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Patty Waits Beasley
Corpus Christi, TX
email: patty@ccbirding.com
web:
http://www.ccbirding.com/