[birdky] Keeping "Our" Whooping Cranes Wild
- From: Dan Kaiser <dhkaiser@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:52:39 -0500
KY Birders,
This is a slightly edited note I posted to the IN-bird list back in
November. With the reports of Whooping Cranes in KY I think it
appropriate to repost here. Thanks.
Keeping "Our" Whooping Cranes Wild
Although not a crane expert by any means, as a volunteer I do have first
hand experience with the Whooping Cranes as they migrate through
Indiana. Helping ID, monitor and track the birds has made me very aware
of their fragile existence and the need to keep them wild.
The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership, WCEP, the
people who are responsible for the reintroduction of the Whooping Crane
(WHCR) to the eastern US, have requested reports of sightings be limited
to the county level, not more specific. There are very good reasons for
this.
The eastern WHCR population currently consists of 85 birds, not counting
the 20 ultralight led 2009 birds, who recently finished their migration
to Florida from Wisconsin. Many of the eastern population do migrate
through Indiana and Kentucky. It is important we keep them safe.
Should the location of one or more of these birds become too public they
will
certainly draw crowds. Uninformed people will then approach too close,
even feeding the birds. Indeed this has happened recently and
the result was one bird being removed from the wild due to it leading
other birds to populated areas. Fortunately when the errant bird was
removed the others returned to better behavior.
Young naive birds are particularly susceptible, I have photos of young
WHCR dancing along the side of a highway. These birds were seen
approaching automobiles, as if to beg for food. One easily sees the
dangers here.
The WCEP also asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to
please give them the respect and distance they need. Do not approach
birds on foot within 200 yards; remain in your vehicle; do not approach
in a vehicle within 100 yards. Also, please remain concealed and do not
speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you. Finally, do not
trespass on private property in an attempt to view or photograph
whooping cranes.
I know how exciting it is to see these magnificent birds, and one
naturally wishes to share the excitement. However we must consider the
birds safety. Hopefully in years to come the Whooping Cranes will be
plentiful and a joy for all to see as they pass through our area.
To report a WHCR sighting go to
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/whoopingcrane/sightings/sightingform.cfm
For more information see...
www.savingcranes.org
and
www.operationmigration.org
Dan Kaiser
Columbus, IN
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Other related posts:
- » [birdky] Keeping "Our" Whooping Cranes Wild - Dan Kaiser
