[wisb] Early junco! and Whooping Crane training (Green Lake Co.)

From: "Tom Schultz" <trschultz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Wisbirdn" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2012 09:05:46 -0500
As some of you may know, I have had the good fortune to be able to work with 
the Operation Migration Whooping Cranes this year at their training site at 
White River Marsh.  Last year they were also here, and I served as the 
coordinator for the blind tours -- scheduling people for visits to the blind 
to view the training activities with an "ultralight" aircraft.  This year 
Doug Pellerin has taken over the coordinator responsibilities, but I still 
help him in leading tours.

Last year there were two "interns" who were working with the ten cranes (in 
their white costumes), but this year they only were able to get six birds 
for training -- and only one intern was hired by Operation Migration.  OM 
asked Doug and me if we'd be willing to volunteer to help work with the 
birds this year, and of course we were delighted.  It is a big 
responsibility and honor to be able to work intimately with the rarest 
cranes in the world!

Anyway, for the past week or so, when I have been there walking to the pen 
site, I have seen a sparrow-type bird with white outer tail feathers hopping 
ahead of me along the gravel roadway, and then flushing as we approached.  I 
was never able to get a good look at it, since at that point I am always 
wearing the white costume and am hooded, with a shaded/reflective face 
shield (Mylar) to hide my face.  Yesterday, however, I was finally able to 
lift my hood enough to get a good look at the bird I had seen previously, 
and was quite surprised to see that it was a Dark-eyed Junco!  Previously I 
had assumed that it was probably a Vesper Sparrow, but I never had a very 
good look -- but I was suspicious, since it seemed like this bird had more 
white showing on the tail edges in flight.

By the way, if you are interesting in coming for a blind tour sometime, 
please contact Doug Pellerin to set up a date -- which happens pretty much 
daily, weather permitting.  Arrival is currently about 6:00 AM, and the 
tours generally end by 8:00 or 8:30.  About 30-45 minutes of this time is 
spent in the blind, observing the flight training.  Doug's email is: 
pelican0711@xxxxxxxxx   This training will continue until they depart for 
migration, around mid October.

Tom Schultz
Green Lake Co. 

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[wisb] Early junco! and Whooping Crane training (Green Lake Co.)

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