The highlight was a Juvenile Whooping Crane that had transmitters on each leg and was foraging along the banks of Lake Nevin within 75 feet from us. The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership WCEP asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to please give them the respect and distance they need. Need is based on what the bird must have to keep it from becoming too familiar with people. It is not a matter of what the bird is comfortable with. "WCEP advises that birders not approach birds on foot within 600 feet; try to remain in your vehicle; do not approach in a vehicle within 600 feet or, if on a public road, within 300 feet. Also, please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you," WCEP requests. The main goal here is to stay at least a hundred yards to 600 feet away and not let them see you or "hear" your voice. Even if that happens by accident, you should leave as quickly as you can retreat and no speak any words that are not absolutely necessary to get birders to leave. This is not about birders making a judgement of what a Whooping Crane can tolerate or will tolerate. That is exactly what WCEP wants birders to do. That is to not let Whooping Cranes tolerate you nearness under any condition. If a Whooper attempts to land near birders or approach birders, it is time to leave quickly and get far away. Let's go birding...... Wallace Coffey Bristol, TN ----- Original Message ----- From: Eddie and Jennifer Huber To: Bird Kentucky free list Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2005 4:02 PM Subject: [birdky] WHOOPING CRANE !!!! The Beckham Bird Club held a field trip to Bernheim Forest, in Clermont, Ky. today on (11/26). Thirteen members saw a total of 43 species. The highlight was a Juvenile Whooping Crane that had transmitters on each leg and was foraging along the banks of Lake Nevin within 75 feet from us giving all of us excellent looks. Other birds of interest were: Bald Eagle flying over top of us Wilson snipe foraging for food on the shore line DUCKS mallard ruddy duck American black duck gadwall wood ducks WOODPECKERS red-bel. downy hairy pileated flicker yellow bellied sapsucker SPARROWS tree sparrow chipping sparrow field sparrow white throated sparrow song sparrow fox sparrow Directions to Bernheim Forest: from I -65 take Bardstown-Clermont exit 112 and follow signs to Bernheim Eddie & Jennifer Huber