Wood Buffalo Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Friends of the Wild Whoopers

In March, Friends of the Wild Whoopers reported on the need to learn more about resting/feeding sites along the whooping crane migratory route. (See Whooping Crane Tracking Study) In order to learn more about the Aransas-Wood Buffalo whooping crane population needs during migration, the Whooping Crane Tracking Partnership began banding and tracking them in 2009. Banding of the whooping cranes has been completed and preliminary findings are currently being compiled. Many key areas have already been identified where the whooping cranes stop over during their 2,500 mile migration. Other useful insights “into this here-to-fore little-know world of whooping crane stopover habitat” are being studied.”

In their latest Newsletter, the Crane Trust offers us some more insight and details about the Whooping Crane Tracking Partnership’s study.

Article from Crane Trust Spring 2014 Newsletter

Suitable habitat for whooping cranes to stop, rest and feed during their spring/fall migration is critical for the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population to complete its 2,500-mile journey each way. These stopover sites are the focus of a comprehensive ground-based study to improve our understanding of the specific habitats and locations selected by whooping cranes during their migration—and are vital for the species recovery. Above Photo: Whooping cranes require suitable stopover sites to complete their spring/fall migration. Without them, the 5,000-mile journey would not be possible. Photo by John Conklin, Canadian Wildlife Service.

Initiated in 2012 by the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and researchers from the Crane Trust and the US Geological Survey, the ground-based study was in full swing for the 2014 spring migration. To date, more than 250 stopover sites have been visited and characterized by researchers between northern Texas and North Dakota. The result to date is the most exhaustive aggregation of data ever collected on whooping crane stopover sites and their utilization by migrating cranes. Above Photo: Maximum depth was one of over a dozen water-related measurements taken at sites where water was present. Distance to water, bank slope, land cover of nearest shoreline, and wetland classification were among the others.

Individual stopover sites were located using GPS tracking data from the Whooping Crane Tracking Partnership’s telemetry study and were visited by one of three regional research teams. Each team spent roughly one day in the field for every two days in the office contacting landowners and collecting/inputting time-sensitive measurements. Key measurements and their application included 360° on-location photography, GIS mapping of habitat types and land covers, food types and availability, land cover and management practices, endangering and visually obstructive features, water characteristics (if present), and other variables. Above Photo: The Crane Trust’s Ryan Joe creates GIS map of stopover site using field data collected this spring. The finished product will depict key features and habitats, providing a valuable reference for visual analysis.

The precise arrival and departure times of the whooping crane(s) and their movements within each stopover site area were also recorded. Sites were visited after whooping cranes had departed, so as to not disturb migrating birds and to record observations and measurements as close to the bird’s departure as possible. Above Photo: Habitat variations and similarities were observed throughout the migration corridor. The above photo was indicative of a stopover site in the Nebraska-central region.

While complete study results aren’t expected until 2015, preliminary findings are already providing useful insights into this here-to-fore little-known world of whooping crane stopover habitat. When complete, the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, the Crane Trust and other conservation organizations/agencies will be able to use this comprehensive data to better inform (and improve) habitat management practices and conservation strategies to aid the species recovery.

***** FOTWW’s mission is to protect the Aransas/Wood Buffalo population
of wild whooping cranes and their habitat. *****

friendsofthewildwhoopers.org

A record number of 164 whooping cranes are currently incubating their eggs in the 82 nest counted recently by the Canadian Wildlife Service in its annual survey. These endangered birds all nest in and around Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP), Canada. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service an estimated 300 whooping cranes migrated to Canada from their winter habitat on Aransas Refuge, Texas. Friends of the Wild Whoopers (FOTWW) consider, based on this information that it is likely that over 50 percent of these wild whoopers are involved with nesting.

**Whooping cranes making unison call at nest with chick, Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada. photo by Brian Johns**

This year, the 82 whooping crane nests counted on Wood Buffalo is an increase from 74 discovered this time last year. This number surpasses a previous record of 76 nests, set after a survey conducted in spring 2011.

So what is currently going on in the nesting area? Most likely the whoopers had laid their all their eggs before the nest survey was completed. Research on whooping cranes nesting has been conducted over many years and unlocked some of the giant bird’s secrets. FOTWW has reviewed some of the research and summarized it here for you.

Whoopers normally lay their eggs in late April to mid-May, and hatching occurs about 1 month later. Based on past research, approximately 90% of the nest will contain 2 eggs, 9% will contain 1 egg and 1% will contain 3 eggs. Eggs average 100 mm in length and 63 mm in width. Whooping crane pairs share in incubation of the eggs. Incubation lasts from 29 to 31 days.

Whooping crane eggs on nest. — **Two eggs in nest.**
**Credit – Michael Seymour**

Incubation ends when the light brown eggs hatch. Whooping cranes may re-nest if their first clutch is destroyed or lost before mid-incubation. Fortunately, egg predation is uncommon, and re-nesting by whooping cranes is believed to be rare.

So, normally whooping cranes usually produce clutches of 2 eggs laid 48 to 60 hours apart. Incubation begins with the first egg laid. Therefore, hatching of the eggs does not occur at the same time. Normally the first chick hatched is one or two days old before than the second is hatched. According to some research, eggs laid after incubation has begun (the 2^nd egg) usually only produce fledged young if the earlier laid egg fails to hatch or the chick dies soon after hatching.

While whooping cranes may lay 2 eggs, only about 10% of whooper pairs migrating back to their Texas winter range have 2 chicks. About 90% of nests therefore contain 1 egg that is unlikely to result in a fledged chick. Still, the second egg plays a possible role in providing assurance that at least one chick survives. In nests with 2 eggs, the first hatched has the greater chance of survival in the wild because the parents can provide better care to a single chick.

Except for brief intervals, one of the parents normally remains on the nest at all times. Chicks are capable of swimming shortly after hatching; however, parents and young return to the nest each night during the first 3 to 4 days after hatching. Later, parents brood their young wherever they are at night or during foul weather. During the first 3 week after hatching, whooping crane families generally remain within about one mile of the nest site.

Whooping cranes are good parents and find food for their chicks, protect them from predators and teach them the migration route between Wood Buffalo National Park and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

Likely some of the whooper chicks have already hatched and others will soon. FOTWW is hopeful for a record number of chicks following the record number of nests. Canadian Wildlife Service personnel will soon be taking to the skies to count the chicks.

***** FOTWW’s mission is to protect the Aransas/Wood Buffalo population
of wild whooping cranes and their habitat. *****

friendsofthewildwhoopers.org

Whooping Crane Stopover Study To Aid Species Recovery

A Record 164 Whooping Cranes Now Incubating Eggs