Migration Update

First Unassisted Spring Migration for the 2008 Ultralight-led Whooping Cranes Continues

Photo by USFWS: Joel Trick

April 7, 2009

Four of the 7 birds at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge departed on March 24. Three of these birds are now in McHenry County, Illinois. The fourth bird split off from the group somewhere between Alabama and Illinois, and its current whereabouts is unknown.

The remaining 3 birds departed Chassahowitzka on Saturday April 4, and traveled north to Georgia, and are currently near Albany GA.

The 7 birds at St. Marks departed on March 30, and according to satellite data from the transmitter on one of the birds, were in Alabama on the 31st, and in Kentucky by April 2. As of April 7, 5 of these birds were near Gridley, Illinois, which is about 100 miles southwest of Chicago. A sixth bird was recently picked up there with severe multiple leg fractures, and is currently being examined by veterinarians. The 7th bird has become separated from the group, and is currently by herself in Iowa.

Summary

Migration departures from the Florida wintering sites were in 3 groups, and several birds have subsequently become separated from their group:

3 are in Georgia (departed from Chassahowtizka NWR)

8 are in Illinois (3 departed from Chassahowtizka NWR and 5 departed from St. Marks NWR)

1 is in Iowa (departed from St. Marks NWR)

1 has been injured and been taken into captivity (departed from St. Marks NWR)

1 bird’s whereabouts is unknown (departed from Chassahowtizka NWR)

March 30, 2009

On March 30, all 7 of the subadult whooping cranes that were at St. Marks NWR left to start their northward migration.

Four of the 7 subadults at Chassahowitzka NWR left last Tuesday (March 24). One of those birds is carrying a satellite transmitter so we know that as of today (March 30), it's now in Kentucky.

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Last updated: May 6, 2009