FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] WATCH FOR 8 LOST WHOOPING CRANES

[Wallace Coffey <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Bristol Area Birders:

During the last few days, eight (8) Whooping Cranes which are part of the
introduced flock which wintered at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife
Refuge in the central gulf coast area of Flordia,  began their migration
north and were blown off course into western North Carolina.  The birds have
been lost by the tracking team from the U.S.F&W.S. and the International
Crane Foundation.

They were last seen on Saturday when the departed the Little Tenness River
eight miles north of Franklin, NC.

The tracking team monitoring the eastern migratory Whooping Cranes  was
unable to track them to their final destination on Saturday night, and also
didn't receive any useful satellite data.   Sunday evening they again failed
to receive useful data.

If anyone in the birding community has spotted the birds or discovers where
they are roosting and feeding, please let me know as soon as possible.  I am
in field contact with the team and will relay immediate information and
possibly put you in touch with them.  
.  
If you or anyone you know discovers these giant birds, please remember that
they are sensitive juveniles and any approach to them will make them less
fearful of humans and make it extremely difficult for the project to to be
successful.

The birds may be anywhere in the western part of Virginia,  the entire state
of West Virginia, Kentucky, eastern Tennessee or still in western North
Carolina.

Please do not apporach the birds.  Do not walk into nearby habitat.  Stay as
far away from the birds as possible.  There is no need to make any
photographs for any reasons.  You can observe the color markers on the birds
legs and the radio transmitters on the birds from a considerable distance
with a scope.  Even if you can't see any markers or any radios, eight
Whooping Cranes are the only ones lost and being searched for.

Thanks for your cooperation and let me know as soon as possible about any
birds you hear about or see.  I may be reached at (423) 764-3958. Leave a
message if I am not in.

Let's go birding.....

Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN



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       Wallace Coffey, Moderator
         wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
           (423)764-****