Whoopers Happening

Whoopers Happening_50 Weather or not...

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:04:00 GMT

The Operation Migration team had no opportunities to fly the entire flock of 20 young Whooping cranes together since they combined cohorts back in mid September. Weather has been so bad, and either wind or rain or both have kept the birds and ultralights grounded almost every day. As they are just now about 20 plus miles into the migration, barely south of Necedah NWR, they are still grounded and awaiting decent weather.

This year's flock ties for the largest they have migrated so far (they had 20 birds back in 2005) which was also the first year ultralight pilot Chris Gullikson was part of the OM team. I talked with Chris and the new Trike Cam he has on his aircraft, which allows you to see him flying with the young Whoopers in real time! That link is included with the Crane Cam... just click the bottom link on the left on this page.

The 'other white birds' are doing well and have been released. These are the DAR chicks which the ICF's Marianne Wellington-Doyle supervises, and all 9 are out on the refuge and free to leave as they wish with other Sandhills or Whooping cranes.

We'll check back with the OM team when they have made more progress... think positively!   Florida awaits.

Photo: Brooke Pennypacker training 7 Whooper chicks over the Necedah NWR. Mark Chenoweth photo.

Whoopers Happening_49 It's the Leaving...

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:28:00 GMT

This is the 9th year that Operation Migration will be leading Whooping cranes (they guided Sandhill cranes in 2000 as a test) on a journey from Wisconsin's Necedah NWR to Florida... this year, again, the flock will be in two locations... St. Mark's and Chassahowitzka NWR. But the journey is about 1285 miles, and the weather is always the enemy! It keeps the birds and team grounded for sometimes well over a week with rain, wind, and occasionally even snow. But with any luck, this might be the year that they beat the odds and get down here... dare we even think it... by Thanksgiving or... Christmas? They are prepared to do whatever it takes, but the sooner the better for the birds, and because the resources to travel with a team of 13 plus people are not endless... nor free!

In this podcast, I talked with several OM team members, the International Crane Foundation's Marianne Wellington-Doyle (who I hope isn't mad at me for calling her 'Marianne Wellington' in the podcast? I just hope I don't run into Robert Doyle, her hubby, at the flyover! He might sic a large bird on me, and I'd deserve that!). Marianne talks about the DAR program and the release of these birds, which happens after the ultralight birds leave Necedah. Brian Johns explains why past historical facts about the Whoopers indicate that this year's anticipated losses and those of last winter's are part of a cycle the birds have, and I talked with the ICF's veterinarian, Dr. Barry Hartup.

This year's migration will be on the crane cam as they are able to transmit and show both departures and flyovers, so if you cannot be there at a planned flyover event, be sure to watch for it on the Operation Migration Crane Cam site.

This is never a simple nor easy journey, no mater how many times this team has done it, and even Joe Duff has his apprehensions and worries. Likely Joe worries more than anyone and it might be a part of his job description, but with all the professionals and handlers he will have with him, this year's migration promises to be a most successful and interesting one! Seeing the 20 birds in 2005 off the wings of the ultralights was spectacular! No doubt, Richard, Joe, Chris and Brooke will be just as excited to be guiding these birds again this year!

photo- The juvenile Whoopers are still white with mixed caramel color, but soon they will lose the caramel and become just white, showing off their red caps with gray wisps in back. Mark Chenoweth

New Beginnings... Premature Endings

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:35:00 GMT

The loss of the youngest chick, #931, reported in WH #48, was the first chick lost during training in nearly 4 years. However, last week pre-migration checks were being conducted, and another accident happened, brought on by the anxiety and struggle one young bird was having while being held for the exam. These exams are conducted rather quickly and with the greatest care, and team members do everything possible to avoid stress to the birds. However, he still became distraught and his resistance resulted in a broken leg.

Operation Migration's Brooke Pennypacker, the only team member who assists in hatching, raising and flying with these young Whooping cranes, wrote a special entry report for the Field Journal at Operation Migration's site back in early June. I would not normally more than quote from their information, but this was a special post Brooke wrote, and it is most worthy of your attention now, if you missed it. If you read it, it's worth a second time.

June 8, 2009 Operation Migration’s Field Journal photo-Beverly Paulan, Operation Migration
Reporter: Brooke Pennypacker
Subject: NEW BEGINNINGS
Location: Laurel, MD

The name “Patuxent” comes from the Indian word, “beginning”... or if it doesn’t, it should. For it is here at Patuxent where the project begins its transition from hope, dream and plan to reality, as chick after whooper chick battles their way out of the egg to emerge into a world full of new beginnings.

This morning, as the dawn broke cool and reassuring over Patuxent, the awakening continued as I stood at the pen gate, costumed up as always, vocalizer singing its siren brood call, my puppet head/magic crane wand at the ready.

Though I have stood here before on other days in other years, looking down on other chicks, this moment is always special; never ceasing to give me pause and fill me with wonder for it is to be chick number 922’s first walk out of his pen and into his new world. Just inside, low and almost indistinguishable in the colors and textures and playful shadows stood little five-day old 922, expectantly gazing up at me with a slight tremble of uncertainty but mixed with a special power. A power forged in his genes over millions of years, designed to transport him gently over the grounds of Patuxent and to lift him high into the skies of Necedah and beyond, on the journey to fulfill his destiny... the power of TRUST.

I swung open the gate and through it he ran without hesitation and followed in short sprints, punctuated with cautious pauses, his little legs no thicker than a few tooth picks blurred as they carried this precious brown ball of fluff through the grass. How, I wondered, is it possible for this amazing little creature to be so trusting, to follow into the unknown this strangely dressed giant who plods so heavily upon the earth only steps away with boots that could instantly crush the life out of him with a single misstep.

Up the grassy hill we climbed towards today’s destination - the trike, parked and waiting near the circle-pen. Minutes later my little hero was standing in its shadow, the scale of which was like me standing under the space shuttle. He looked hard at the behemoth and I think, seemed to sense its significance, his curiosity overcoming his fear.

"Today we form our partnership,” I announced in voice only mind could hear. “You, me and this silly looking contraption of black and yellow. And together we will climb up into the above; that other world of wind and cloud and height, the world where you are the citizen and I the clumsy visitor. And after a time, it will no longer belong to us, only to you, and you will soar high and away, carrying on your strong wings our hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow. Think you can handle all that extra baggage, little guy?
Trust me, you can.”

Too soon, we were making our descent, this time walking side-by-side with steps more rhythmic and assured. Tomorrow we will again ascend to the trike where Bev will be waiting to greet us, for we will then start the engine for the first time, and the noise will be frightening, like launching a rocket next a stroller in which a baby sleeps. But as the minutes pass, Bev’s calming conditioning technique and caring will rob the deafening roar of its threat, dampening it into submission, then acceptance, then even desire. Then around the circle pen we will go... and go...and go. And together we will continue to explore the landscape of your trust.

As I swung the gate shut, I paused for a moment to look down at this wonderful little fellow standing so proudly, it seemed to me, in the vast afterglow of discovery and achievement. As I did, he returned my gaze with his own, and for a moment I felt his eyes look through my one-way helmet visor, through my eyes and into my soul as he spoke to me in a calm reassuring tone, “You are my teacher and you have much to teach me. But please know that I am also your teacher and if you listen, I will teach you much about very special things... like trust, courage, kindness, hope and even love. They are within you, in the place where they have always been, but I will draw them out for you to see so that you may watch them grow and cherish and appreciate them as we proceed on our journey together. So, see you tomorrow, my friend.”

“Tomorrow then, little #922”

While Dr. Barry Hartup at the International Crane Foundation attended to the bird’s injury, he went into cardiopulmonary arrest, and was lost. Beverly and Brooke work with these chicks as part of a team, and the entire team feels the loss of any bird, but some members more with some birds. Do read Beverly’s report, 8/14 on the Operation Migration Field Journal as she reflects on his loss and talks about how the team deals with it. It’s a part of what they do, but as Beverly has said, it’s the one part she truly dislikes.

Whoopers Happening_48 A Young Loss

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:22:00 GMT

Things have been going very well all summer with all 23 birds, but sometimes when all seems well, something happens as it did this past Monday. The youngest bird hatched back in early June, #931, along with #928, were very possessive of the aircraft and stayed close... too close. When the pilot was forced to avoid #928 who landed directly in front of the moving aircraft (not airborne but conducting ground effect training with the birds gliding just over the ground) #931 landed right next to the pilot... and in front of the rear wheels.

The bird was taken to the ICF, International Crane Foundation and given prompt medical attention for a broken leg, but she never awakened from the anesthetic. Internal injuries were also discovered later, so perhaps it was best.

This was the first loss of a bird in flight training in almost exactly 4 years. The skill and patience of the pilots and their care in flying as well as watching every move these young birds make as they follow has resulted in no losses at all many years.

Beverly Paulan and I talked about the birds the week before, so this loss had not yet happened. But with 22 remaining young Whooper chicks (a couple of the birds are still in question due to respiratory issues) this stands to be the largest ultralight-led migration yet, and we trust the most successful. With so much experience and most of the birds, even #918, doing well following the aircraft (ie not flying off into the marsh) this should be a most attentive and promising adventure!

Don't forget that the 9th annual Whooping Crane Festival happens at Necedah sponsored by the Lions Club on Saturday September 19th. Check their website for more information.

Photo: Chris Gullikson-Operation Migration OM pilot Chris Gullikson training cohort 1 birds, already flying like pros over the grounds at Necedah NWR on 9/3/09.

Whoopers Happening_47 Crane TV for Real!

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:21:00 GMT

The second of the two chicks hatched this year at Necedah was lost in July, and that same pair seems intent on adopting one of the chicks in this year's Class of 2009. In fact, the suggestion was made to give #918 to parental pair #211 and 217. However, Operation Migration's Joe Duff talks about 918 and why this is not such a good idea.

The ultralight-led Whooping crane chicks are always the focal point for each fall's introduced migration; however, a lot of time and work also goes into the training costumed handlers give the chicks that are in the DAR (Direct Autumn Release) program conducted by the International Crane Foundation in Bariboo, Wisconsin. ICF aviculturist Marianne Wellington-Doyle talks about this year's program (she is the supervisor) and the record number of birds they hope to release this fall.

Check out Operation Migration's new CraneCam sponsored by Duke Energy. You can check out the training each morning and also observe the chicks in cohort 2 in their pen throughout the day. Adult Whoopers are often about and stand guard outside the pen, watching the chicks inside.

Photo: Operation Migration

Whoopers Happening_46 A Team Effort!

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:07:00 GMT

How many young Whooping crane chicks areexpected to be on the migration this year? What was done to eliminatethe illness that was so devastating the past two years at Patuxent? And how are the recent hatches doing at Necedah? Answers to these andother exciting details are revealed in Whoopers Happening 46. So,download or click the button below and listen as a few of the peoplewho know these rare and special birds best talk about what has beenhappening and how they are doing this year.

Scenes like the above will become commonplace over Necedah NWR in the weeks ahead as the Operation Migration team conducts flight training with the new chicks, forming the Class of 2009.
photo: Mark Chenoweth

Whoopers Happening_45 New Life, Lost Freedom

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:45:00 GMT

With 4 nests still incubating as this podcast is published, it's only another day or two before we know if new chicks will be hatched; this is a major concern for the WCEP team. It's been 3 years since the first wild Whooping crane pair hatched at Necedah... the first wild pair in Wisconsin in over a century. With the first 11 nests all having failed, the hopes now are for the pairs that re-nested to have successful hatches. The chick that has its own mate now, W601, was the result of re-nesting with one parental pair (#211 & #217) now also nesting at Necedah NWR.

The loss of one bird who had become too accustomed to humans, #710, has upset many as any loss to the flock always does. This bird was feeding along with others last winter in Hernando, County Florida, and the homeowner was asked to please refrain from doing this. Though the reasons were presented, she chose not to comply. Now this bird is to be a display bird at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL. A sad relocation for a bird that had been a favorite with the Operation Migration team in 2007. Any healthy bird that loses its freedom is a less than desirable thing and no sensible person would want to see this happen.

More on the fate of #710 when he is introduced to the female that resides at Lowry Park Zoo in July. The male that had been with her died early in 2008.

The International Crane Foundation is dedicating their new 'Spirit of Africa' exhibit on Saturday, June 20th. The new facility is constructed with eco-friendly materials and will exhibit the 4 crane species native to Africa including the Grey and Black Crowned cranes, Wattled cranes and Blue cranes.

For more about this new exhibit at the ICF, check out their website...Spirit of Africa.

Our e-mail, should you care to write or send a comment, is whoopershappening@earthlink.net . Thanks!

Whooper Happenings_44 The Promise to Return...

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:32:00 GMT

In trying to take all that happens each month and make a summary or compilation in brief, it leaves many things that must be left out due to time and just simply interest which some things have over others. However, most important aspects get their time on this podcast or are focused on by the media. One is the Crane Cam which is new, but will become more familiar in the months ahead.

A number of bird losses since our last podcast make this a less than optimistic piece, and also with the failure of all 11 nests that had been under scrutiny at Necedah NWR. However, there are several new nests (re-nests) and these may well prove fruitful with new chicks in the weeks ahead. Don't forget that the one chick, W601, was the result of a re-nest and hatched towards the end of June back in '06. We hope history repeats itself this year.

Endangered Species Day is May 15th, and if you would like more information and to check to see what activities may be planned for your area, go to e ndangeredspeciesday.org .

Write to us with comments or suggestions below or at whooperhappenings@earthlink.net .

Thanks for listening!

Photo: WCEP (New baby Whooping crane chick stands in awe of its model adult at Patuxent NWR.)

Whooper Happenings_42 The Class of 2008

whooperhappenings@earthlink.net (Mark Chenoweth) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:27:34 GMT

This time around I talk with Joe Duff about the migration and how he feels things went, and top cover pilots Don and Paula Lounsbury at the Dunnellon Airport flyover in January.

Coming up in the next several weeks, we'll hear what Beverly Paulan and Brooke Pennypacker said about the migration, raising the chicks, and their thoughts about the pending northern migration, which always brings bittersweet feelings from those working closest to these wonderful chicks!

Don't forget, you can post a comment or ask a question below in the new Whooper Happenings Blog. We may not know the answer, but we know who does!

Thanks for listening to Whooper Happenings #42!

Photo: a trio of chicks at St. Mark's just don't want to let Bev tuck them in for the night. They'd rather be flying, and even their costumed Mom doesn't blame them! But their exercise fun makes bedtime a chore almost every night Bev told us!

* I state that the Aransas-Wood Buffalo flock has a total near 266 birds this season in this podcast; a recent release from Tom's office now says that they believe that nearly 18 birds are dead this winter, and this would make the total number of Whooping cranes closer to 250, the second worst season since 1990. Many of these deaths are juvenile birds, but we will hopefully talk with Tom in the next podcast. Exact totals are difficult, and the birds are tough to count and evaluate, but the experience Tom and his team have does indicate a serious problem this year with drought conditions, and food-water sources, which are definitely related.