Sandhill Cranes from Last Year's Migration Study with Ultralight Aircraft have Left Their Wintering Area (March 16, 2001)

Most of the sandhill cranes that were led by ultralight aircraft from Wisconsin to Florida have departed their wintering grounds at St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve north of Tampa, Florida. Ten of the eleven birds left their pen area on Sunday, February 25th. Bird #13, a female that was somewhat of a loner, remains at St. Martins, managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The crane tracker who'd hoped to follow the birds north was unable to depart St. Martins Marsh that morning due to his tracking vehicle not yet being operable, and by the next day, could not pick up their radio signals.

The crane biologists working on this project are not concerned. These birds were raised to be wild and wild birds don't give notice when they are going to fly somewhere! The geese, swans and sandhill cranes from Operation Migration Inc.'s nine previous migration studies resulted in birds returning to their rearing area on their own. This flock's rearing area is Necedah National Wildlife Refuge near Tomah, Wisconsin. The refuge staff at Necedah and crane biologists at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, have put up their radio receivers, and will be checking for returning cranes by radiotelemetry.Though the birds are outfitted with multi-colored leg bands on their left leg and a red/green radio transmitter on their right leg, it is unlikely that they will be spotted, particularly if they have joined with the thousands of wild sandhill cranes now migrating north. It is also unknown whether these experimental sandhill cranes will stay together as a flock or separate into smaller groups on their journey. Nevertheless, state and federal biologists along the seven state flyway are keeping their eyes open.

If you think you have seen these birds, please do not under any circumstances approach them. Thank you. It is vitally important that they still remain afraid of people, as all wild creatures do. Again, thank you for respecting their wildness.And if you are fairly certain that you have seen these birds, please share your information with the crane tracker by leaving a message at 352-564-8321, or 612-804-0959. Thank you... and please check back with us for further updates.

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