[TN-Bird] Whoopping Crane at Hiwassee refuge last Sunday

Tn-birders,
I didn't post this last week because I thought most people knew that the crane 
was there (Blythe's Ferry WMA in Meigs Co., TN) and we really didn't see much 
else that day, as it was raining fairly steadily. A lot of the cranes were 
pretty close to the viewing gazebo when we got there. As we got under the 
gazebo roof, many of them flushed from the fields and moved about 50 more yards 
down the slope to the edge of the water. When they did this, we saw the 
Whooper. I had my scope (some claim it is permanently attached to my hand!), so 
I got the Whooper in the scope and saw its colored leg bands. I made a note of 
them and sent the band information to the ICF (International Crane Foundation), 
hoping they might respond and I might learn something about this particular 
bird. I thought TN-birders might enjoy reading about the reply I got (today) 
from ICF, so I copied it below. 

Ron Hoff
Clinton, TN

Reply from ICF to my email:

Hello Ron,
Thank you for contacting us about the whooping crane you observed near Hiwassee 
Island and for correctly reading the bands on her legs; this allows me to be 
able to identify exactly which bird she is.

The bird you observed was #33-05, she was the 33rd bird hatched for the 
reintroduction project in 2005.  However, she was 1 of only 4 birds that was 
released using a new technique the USFWS and ICF are working on called the 
direct autumn release (DAR).  In this portion of the project young birds are 
released directly into the wild in the fall and learn the migration route from 
older whooping cranes and sandhill cranes.

She began migration last fall with the 3 other DAR birds and numerous sandhill 
cranes.  Sometime during that first day they all separated but all later ended 
up at Hiwassee.  She spent several weeks there before continuing her migration 
with sandhill cranes to Florida.  

When #33-05 migrated north this spring she was further east in IN than she 
should have been.  Additionally she flew on days with west winds which pushed 
her even further east; therefore she ended up in MI instead of WI.  We actually 
went to MI to capture her so we could return her to WI, but she was with a pair 
of sandhill cranes and flew off with them when we approached so she remained 
there all summer and fall.

She began migration this fall on Sunday November 19th and satellite data 
indicated she had arrived at Hiwassee by Monday night, November 20th and has 
remained there ever since.  There should be 1-2 other whooping cranes in the 
Hiwassee area, one is often seen from the observation gazebo and is also a DAR 
bird from last year.  The third bird doesn?t have a functional radio 
transmitter and isn?t seen as frequently since she?s apparently hanging out 
just off the refuge further up the river.  All of our tracking team is 
currently in FL so please let me know if you observe any other whooping cranes 
in this area.  I?m so glad you were able to see her and thanks for the kind 
words.      

If you would like to receive email updates about the status and behavior of the 
eastern migratory flock of Whooping Cranes including #33-05 please send an 
email to the ICF Web Editor at: aburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  

Thanks again for contacting us and for your interest and support and please let 
me know if you have any more questions about this bird.  

Sincerely,

Sara Zimorski

Please consider becoming a member of the International Crane Foundation (ICF).  
Your membership contribution to ICF will support research about endangered 
crane populations, the reintroduction of the Whooping Crane to the eastern 
United States, public education programs, and protection of wetland and 
grassland ecosystems. In addition, your membership offers numerous benefits, 
including free tours of our headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin?the only place 
in the world where you can see all 15 crane species!  You will also receive a 
one-year subscription to the ICF Bugle newsletter, free admission to over 150 
zoos and aquariums nationwide and other benefits.  To begin your membership 
today, just click on this link to the ICF website: 
https://www.savingcranes.org/support/membership/signup/index.cfm?form_type=new 
or call 608-356-9462 ext. 103 and we?ll be happy to sign you up over the phone 
or mail you an application.  Thank you for your support!

Sara Zimorski

Aviculturist

International Crane Foundation

E-11376 Shady Lane Road, P.O. Box 447

Baraboo, WI  53913

Tel: 608-356-9462 ext. 154

Fax: 608-356-9465

sara@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  

I was birding with friends at the Blythe's Ferry WMA, near Hiwassee Island, 
Meigs County, TN. yesterday and we saw a Whooping Crane. This crane had a red 
band on the upper left leg and a green over white band on the right leg. You 
folks probably already know about this particular individual, but just in case 
you didn't, now you do! If you have the time, I would like to know any 
information about this individual. Keep up the great work! It's always a VERY 
special experiemce to see one of these magnificent creatures, knowing how close 
they were to extinction. Kudos. Ron Hoff

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