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2002 Spring Migration North

April 10 , 2002

After four months (126 days) at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, North America's newest flock of whooping cranes have begun their spring migration. The birds departed yesterday morning and headed north. Following the flock were biologists Anne Lacey, International Crane Foundation and Richard Urbanek, US Fish and Wildlife Service. Lacey and Urbanek tracked the birds to Wilcox County Georgia, 217 miles from the flock's winter home. The birds flew for over six and half hours; several times longer than they had ever flown before. Each bird is fitted with a radio transmitter, a leg band that sends a signal to allow biologist to track their movements. Two members of the flock also wear satellite transmitters so that tracking can continue even if the biologists lose contact with the birds. After spending their first night in Wilcox County, the birds stood down on April 10th as a storm came through the area. They were seen foraging along the edge of a pond and in an adjoining upland area.