Whooping Cranes in Texas

as reported on Texbirds listserv

Report Migrating Whooping Crane Sightings

The following reports are forwarded with permission from Tom Stehn, USFWS
biologist and US Whooping Crane Coordinator.

Where applicable, CWS stands for Canadian Wildlife Service; USFWS is US
Fish and Wildlife Service. Crane monitoring involves cooperative efforts
and support by both countries, plus many volunteers and non-profit
organizations along the way.

Anyone wanting to contact Tom about the report or the whooping crane
projects can reach him via email at: tom_stehn@fws.gov. Other information,
including archived copies of these reports, can be found at the Texas
Whooping Crane web site at http://www.ccbirding.com/
 

2004-5

December 22, 2004

An aerial census on 22 December, 2004 of the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge and surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes
present at 183 adults + 32 young = 215 total.  The peak total at Aransas
for the winter was 183 + 33 = 216.  One of the twin chicks is believed to
have died.

A chick separated in migration from its parents was sighted in November in
northeast Colorado and in southwestern Oklahoma right by the Texas border.
This is the 217th bird in the Aransas-Wood Buffalo peak population (183
adults + 34 chicks).  A single white-plumaged crane still in migration,
having departed Quivira NWR in Kansas on December 10th, would be the 218th
member of the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population if it makes it to Aransas
safely.  Two white-plumaged cranes seen on December 1st at Grulla NWR in
New Mexico near the Texas border would be #'s 219 and 220 if they make it
safely to Aransas.  This is apparently the first-ever documented sighting
of Aransas-Wood Buffalo whooping cranes in New Mexico.

Recap of cranes observed on the flight: (197)
                            adults + young
Refuge                         50 + 10
Lamar                           7 +  2
San Jose                       39 +  8
Matagorda                56 +  8
Welder Flats                   16 +  1
                      Total    168 + 29 = 197

Remarks:  The flight was delayed by morning fog so that complete coverage
was not done on San Jose Island in the late afternoon.  Visibility was
fairly poor in the morning because of thick clouds.  The skies cleared in
the afternoon, but northwest winds gusting to 25 mph made for bumpy flight
conditions.  Tide levels were lower compared with one week ago, with refuge
tides measured at 1.7 mlt on 12-20-04.  About 60 % of San Jose Island was
exposed mudflats, and oyster reefs were exposed in the bays.

Not all of the cranes were located on today's flight.  Territorial cranes
overlooked (n=8) included the Middle Pond, Jay Bird Point, and single adult
families.  This latter grouping of 1+1 has apparently moved off the
refuge's Blackjack Point.  Light conditions made it difficult to find
cranes during the first 4 hours of the flight over Matagorda Island and
Welder Flats.  Crane numbers were down 10 on Matagorda Island compared with
last week's flight, which probably reflected the poor  visibility on
today's flight rather than a change in crane use areas.  One family group
formerly believed to be the unbanded twin family was still present on the
far north end of Matagorda Island.

No new cranes were found on today's flight.  Stragglers can continue to
arrive at Aransas into December, with peak counts for the winter usually
not made until now in mid-December.  Recent believable reports of whooping
cranes in migration include a single southwest of Fort Worth, Texas in
Comanche County on November 26, and a single 70 miles south of Amarillo,
Texas on December 1.   A very believable probable sighting of 2 cranes in
Oklahoma was made on November 29th about 30 miles northwest of Oklahoma
City (near Kingfisher, OK), and 2 cranes were sighted on December 1st at
Grulla NWR in New Mexico located on the Texas border.  There have been no
reported sightings of the white-plumaged crane that apparently resumed
migration from the Quivira NWR in Kansas on December 10th.

On today's flight, bands were seen for the first time this winter on 2
cranes.  A look at the feet of the Vinson Slough pair provided a glimpse of
a metal band above the left foot of one of the adults.  The mate of the
South Matagorda radio pair was seen with a low silver band above the left foot.

A slight change in habitat use was noted on today's flight.  On today's
flight, 11 cranes were using open bay habitat.  Eleven cranes were using a
prescribed burn (Unit C5) carried out December 14th along the refuge's East
Shore Road, and 2 cranes were using Unit C12  near the southwest tip of the
refuge burned December 17th.  Four cranes on Matagorda Island were using
freshwater marsh habitat on Burn Unit B3 conducted July 28, 2004. Another
nearby pair on Matagorda uplands right near the road south of panther Point
was presumably foraging on wolfberries in dry saline marsh vegetation.

In other crane news, the single juvenile crane released into the wild into
a flock of other whooping cranes in central Wisconsin successfully
completed its migration to Florida.  It was sighted at the Hixtown Swamp in
Florida with one whooping crane it had apparently followed all the way from
Tennessee.  The 13 juveniles led by ultralight aircraft to Chassahowitzka
NWR are being held in an exclosure next to the large winter pen where 5
older cranes are currently residing.
  Tom Stehn
  Whooping Crane Coordinator
  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  Aransas NWR
 

From TexBirds, Nov. 16, 2004

An aerial census on 16 November, 2004 of the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge and surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes
present at 158 adults + 28 young = 186 total.

Recap of cranes observed: (186)
                            adults + young
Refuge                         65 + 12
Lamar                           4 +  1
San Jose                       22 +  5
Matagorda                49 +  7
Welder Flats                   18 +  3
                 Total         158 + 28 = 186

Remarks:  Flight conditions were fair with lots of sun but some overcast
and occasional light rain showers.  Tide levels were high (3.4 mlt measured
on November 15), up 1.1 feet from last week, with no mudflats on San Jose
Island exposed.  Water levels were unusually high with the marshes flooded.

The number of cranes present at Aransas is 186.  An estimated 34 adults +
10 young have arrived since the last flight on November 10th.  Most of
these birds are believed to have arrived November 11-14, riding in on north
winds associated with a cold front that had crossed the Texas coast on
November 11th.

New family groups to arrive are from nests 44, 48, 50, and 53, and 5
unknowns.  The Narrow Cove winter territorial pair at Welder Flats has
arrived in Shoalwater Bay with twin chicks!  This is the third set of twins
to make it to Aransas since 1997, and one of 5 sets of twins alive in
August in Wood Buffalo National Park.  One of the unknown families to
arrive winters in front of the Refuge observation tower at Mustang Lake
which will delight visitors throughout the winter.  There was some more
evidence of chick mortality that has occurred since the August nesting
ground surveys.  Pairs from nests 15 and 18 that had chicks in August have
arrived without chicks. Interesting locations on today's flight included a
family group near the Army Hole towards the north end of Matagorda Island,
and the Big Tree family group on Newcomb Bend Marsh on Lamar.

With the presence of 186 whooping cranes at Aransas, the migration is
nearly 90% completed.  A few whooping cranes were reported recently at Salt
Plains NWR in Oklahoma.  One white-plumaged crane is currently at Quivira
NWR in Kansas.  One whooping crane chick has separated from its parents and
was last reported in northeastern Colorado.  A few more territorial pairs
are expected to arrive based on empty winter territories at Aransas.
Stragglers can continue to arrive into December, with peak counts for the
winter usually not made until mid-December.

Of the two whooping cranes shot in Kansas near the Quivira National
Wildlife Refuge on November 6th, the one with the amputated leg has died.
The bird with the injured wing is not feeding itself, but is stable and is
scheduled to be shipped from Kansas State University to Patuxent on
November 18.  A third white-plumaged whooping crane was also shot at in the
same incident in Kansas.  Based on circumstantial evidence, this may be the
crane remaining at Quivira.  This bird is being monitored and has been
observed making several short flights to forage.  It is hoped it will
continue the migration.

  Tom Stehn
  Whooping Crane Coordinator
  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  Aransas NWR
  P.O. Box 100
  Austwell, TX 77950
  (361) 286-3559 Ext. 221
  fax (361) 286-3722
  E:mail: tom_stehn@fws.gov

From TexBirds, 10 Nov 2004

An aerial census on 10 November, 2004 of the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge and surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes
present at 124 adults + 18 young = 142.

Recap of cranes observed: (142)
                               adults + young
Refuge                         43 + 9
Lamar                           2 + 1
San Jose                       26 + 4
Matagorda                43 + 4
Welder Flats                   10 + 0
                      Total    124 + 18 = 142

Remarks:  Flight conditions were excellent with a lot of sunshine and
southeast winds.  Tide levels were at mid-range (2.3 mlt measured on
November 8), with about 20% of the mudflats on San Jose Island exposed.

The number of cranes present at Aransas is 142.  An estimated 99 adults +
17 young have arrived since the last flight on November 3rd.  Most of these
birds are believed to have arrived November 3-5, riding in on north winds
associated with a cold front that had crossed the Texas coast on November
2nd.  A few cranes may have arrived November 6 or 7 when winds were
generally light and from the east with sunny skies.  Conditions were
unfavorable for migration on November 8-10.  Peak arrivals normally occur
from November 4-10, and this year the cranes were right on schedule.
Twenty-seven sandhill cranes were sighted on todayâ¬"s flight on San Jose
Island, indicating sandhills have also arrived, along with numerous ducks.
No sandhills were sighted the previous week.

Family groups present at Aransas are from nests 1, 4, 7, 9, 16, 17, 19, 27,
41, 47, K-10, and 7 unknowns.  The Lobstick pair (nest 1) that brought
twins last year has a single chick.  The Ayres Island pair (K-10) for which
a nest was not found in 2004, has apparently arrived with a chick.  This is
an unbanded pair so Iâ¬"ll have to see them multiple times on their winter
territory before I can make a conclusion about their identity.  The family
group from nest 17 had not been found on August surveys but does have a
chick.  The pair with a territory in front of the Aransas Refuge
observation tower has not yet arrived.

There is some evidence of chick mortality that has occurred since the
August nesting ground surveys.  Family 41 that had twins in August has
arrived at Aransas with only 1 chick.  The pair from nest 10 that had a
chick in August has arrived without a chick, as identified by the color
band on the male.  Several other pairs may have arrived without chicks that
were expected, but it is too early to draw any  conclusions since unbanded
subadult duos on todayâ¬"s census could have been occupying winter
territories prior to the arrival of territorial families.

One chick has separated from its parents and has been confirmed present
November 3-4 in northeastern Colorado (Washington County) where it was with
sandhill cranes.  This bird is expected to continue in migration and could
winter in West Texas.

With the presence of 142 whooping cranes at Aransas, the migration is about
2/3â¬"s completed.  Large numbers of whooping cranes were reported in the
last week at Quivira NWR in Kansas (n=22) and Salt Plains NWR in Oklahoma
(n=32).  A cold front that reached the Texas coast on November 11th is
expected to bring some of these birds to Aransas.

Two whooping cranes were shot in Kansas near the Quivira National Wildlife
Refuge on November 6th.  A party of sandhill crane hunters has apparently
admitted to the shooting.  Reported by a landowner as injured, both cranes
were picked up and driven to Manhatten, Kansas.  Dr. Jim Carpenter and
other veterinary staff at Kansas State University performed surgery on both
birds, having to amputate the leg of one bird that had been hanging by a
tendon, and pin the broken wing of the other bird.  Radiographs showed
numerous embedded pellets.  The bird with the injured leg has subsequently
died, and the remaining bird is doing poorly as can be expected.  My
appreciation goes to Dr. Carpenter and all the veterinary staff for their
efforts.  If the one bird recovers, it will be shipped to the Patuxent
Wildlife Research Center and added to the captive breeding flock.

A blue crab and wolfberry count was conducted at Aransas on November 8th.
Volunteer Katherine Cullen and Tom Stehn counted 215 crabs of all sizes in
1.5 hours hiking the marsh, and noted 740 wolfberries and 4 flowers in a
100-yard transect across high marsh habitat.  I would currently rate these
food resources for whooping cranes as high as I have ever seen them.  The
above average rains throughout the spring and summer are presumably a
primary factor resulting in this abundance of food.

  Tom Stehn
  Whooping Crane Coordinator
  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  Aransas NWR
  P.O. Box 100
  Austwell, TX 77950
  (361) 286-3559 Ext. 221
  fax (361) 286-3722
 

From TexBirds, October 27, 2004

Greetings all!

The following report is forwarded with permission from Tom Stehn, USFWS
biologist and US Whooping Crane Coordinator.

Where applicable, CWS stands for Canadian Wildlife Service; USFWS is US
Fish and Wildlife Service. Crane monitoring involves cooperative efforts
and support by both countries, plus many volunteers and non-profit
organizations along the way.

Anyone wanting to contact Tom about the report or the whooping crane
projects can reach him via email at: tom_stehn@fws.gov. Other information,
including archived copies of these reports, can be found at the Texas
Whooping Crane web site at http://www.ccbirding.com/

------------- begin report --------------

October 27, 2004

An aerial census on October 27, 2004 of the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge and surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes
present at 16 adults + 0 young = 16.

Recap of cranes observed: (13)
                               adults + young
Refuge                         4 + 0
Lamar                                    -
San Jose                       5 + 0
Matagorda                   -
Welder Flats                   4 + 0
          Total               13 + 0 = 13

Remarks:

Weather:  Flight conditions were very good with sunshine and brisk
southeast winds. The southeast winds and near record high temperatures
forecast in the lower 90s make it unlikely that any additional cranes will
complete the migration until the current weather pattern changes. The next
major front is forecast to reach the Texas coast on November 1st.

Cranes Present:  The number of cranes estimated present at Aransas remains
unchanged at 16. I could only find 13 whooping cranes on today's
flight.  The distribution of cranes had changed, with 2 additional cranes
on both the refuge and at Welder Flats.   Thus, perhaps a few more cranes
have arrived.  However, I was unable to document this and concluded that
the cranes already present on October 20th had simply changed locations.

Habitat Use at Aransas:  Many of the cranes at Aransas were in high marsh
habitat, presumably feeding on wolfberries.  All the marshes had high water
levels except for San Jose which had about 30% of the mudflats exposed.
Graduate student Danielle Rutka is reporting blue crabs as abundant in the
marshes, so the cranes should have a feast when they arrive.

Migration sightings: Whooping cranes have been sighted recently in the U.S.
from North Dakota to Oklahoma, including a group of 4 at Gackle, ND on
October 24th.

  Tom Stehn
  Whooping Crane Coordinator
  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  Aransas NWR
  P.O. Box 100
  Austwell, TX 77950
  (361) 286-3559 Ext. 221
  fax (361) 286-3722
  E:mail: tom_stehn@fws.gov
 

2003-04

--> Texbird help file http://www.texbirds.org <---

Greetings all!

The following reports are forwarded with permission from Tom Stehn, USFWS
biologist and US Whooping Crane Coordinator.

Where applicable, CWS stands for Canadian Wildlife Service; USFWS is US
Fish and Wildlife Service. Crane monitoring involves cooperative efforts
and support by both countries, plus many volunteers and non-profit
organizations along the way.

Anyone wanting to contact Tom about the report or the whooping crane
projects can reach him via email at: tom_stehn@fws.gov. Other information,
including archived copies of these reports, can be found at the Texas
Whooping Crane web site at http://www.ccbirding.com/

------------- begin reports --------------

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Northern District of  Texas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 14,   2004
             DALLAS MAN SENTENCED TO 6 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR KILLING
WHOOPING CRANE

       United States Attorney Jane J. Boyle announced that Dallas resident,
Donald W. Jones, was sentenced today by the Honorable Jerry Buchmeyer,
United States Senior District Judge, to six months imprisonment and ordered
to pay a $2000 fine, following his guilty plea in February 2004 to
transporting wildlife taken and possessed in violation of law, in violation
of 16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(1) and 3373(d)(2).  Jones was also ordered to
surrender all hunting privileges in the United States.  He must surrender
to the Bureau of Prisons on July 19, 2004.

       Jones admitted that on November 14, 2003, he knowingly transported
various species of migratory birds, including a whooping crane, a Gadwall,
a blue-winged teal and a northern shoveler, when he knew the wildlife was
taken and possessed in violation of law, specifically the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act.  Jones admitted that on November 14, 2003, a day that the
regular Texas waterfowl hunting season was closed, he was duck hunting at
Lake Bardwell in Ellis County, Texas.  Lake Bardwell lies in a geographical
zone of Texas closed to all crane hunting.

       At approximately 6:30 p.m., a Texas Game Warden (TGW) contacted
Jones as Jones was preparing his boat and truck to depart from Lake
Bardwell.  In response to the TGW's questions about what wildlife had been
taken, Jones volunteered that he had killed three ducks.  The TGW then
observed a blue-winged teal, a hen shoveler, and a gadwall in the front of
Jones' boat.  The TGW asked Jones if he had killed any other wildlife, and
Jones responded, "No."  The TGW then began to examine various bags inside
Jones' boat and truck and discovered a zippered bag containing a dead
whooping crane underneath a piece of camouflage burlap.  When questioned,
Jones responded that he had always wanted to shoot a sandhill crane and
admitted that he shot the whooping crane by mistake, believing it to be a
sandhill crane.

       According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whooping cranes are
also listed as endangered under federal law.  The crane recovered from
Jones is believed to be one of four spotted in the Lake Bardwell area,
south of Dallas, during the week of November 10, 2003.  Biologists believe
that the three remaining birds that remained in the area resumed their
annual migration south for the winter.  There are an estimated 400 wild
whooping cranes within the United States.   The other waterfowl in Jones'
possession - Gadwall, blue-winged teal, and northern shoveler - are species
that can legally be hunted during the waterfowl season in Texas.  That
season, however, was not open when the birds were killed.

U.S. Attorney Boyle praised the investigative efforts of agents of the
USFWS and game wardens with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.  The case
was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark D. McBride.
_________________________________________________
Elizabeth Slown, Public Affairs Specialist
505-248-6909
505-363-9592 (cell)
 

A final census flight made May 12, 2004  did not find any whooping cranes
at Aransas.  The last two cranes were last seen on the refuge late in the
day on May 4th.  Census flights in Canada's Wood Buffalo Park are scheduled
to begin this week.  Tides at Aransas were notably high, the highest seen
since mid-October, 2003.

  Tom Stehn
  Whooping Crane Coordinator
  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  Aransas NWR
  P.O. Box 100
  Austwell, TX 77950
  (361) 286-3559 Ext. 221

April 29, 2004, Only three remain in Texas!

An aerial census on April 28, 2004 of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
and surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes at Aransas to
be 2 adults + 1 young = 3.

Recap of cranes observed: (3)

                              adults + young
Refuge                          2 + 1

Remarks:  Flight conditions were good with bright overcast skies and light
winds.  Only the refuge was covered with 1.4 hours of flight time.

The number of whooping cranes found totaled 3.  The juvenile was identified
by light brown feathers seen on the head and a small patch of brown on the
back.  An estimated 190 whooping cranes (98% of the population) have
started the migration, with reports starting to be received of whooping
cranes in Saskatchewan.  A few subadult cranes (and once a widowed adult)
occasionally have stayed at Aransas into the first week in May before
departing.  Winds at Aransas were unfavorable for migration April 25-27
with a low pressure system bringing north winds.

The 3 cranes together in the Middle Sundown Bay territory I believe were
the Behind Middle Pond one adult family joined by another white-plumaged
crane.  However, they could have also been two subadults and the chick from
the Behind Middle Pond single adult family, or the Pipeline family group.
However, the chick was at first seen separate from the 2 white-plumaged
cranes, showing similar independence similar to that shown by the Behind
Middle Pond chick all winter.  Last week, the Pipeline family group was
believed to have started the migration by noon.  At noon that day, a single
white-plumaged crane was seen close to where the three cranes were seen
today.  Perhaps this had been the widowed Behind Middle Pond adult and the
chick had been overlooked.  However, the single bird seen at noon last week
had looked bedraggled with some gray markings on the feathers, whereas the
two white-plumaged cranes seen today showed typical plumage.

Habitat:  No cranes were observed at fresh water sources, uplands, burns,
or in open bay habitat.

  Tom Stehn
 

April 21, 2004

An aerial census on April 21, 2004 of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
and surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes at Aransas to
be 6 adults + 2 young = 8.

Recap of cranes observed: (8)

                                    adults + young

Refuge                                    6 +  2
All other areas                       0_
          Total                6 + 2 = 8*

*    3 adults and 2 juveniles started migration during the flight, leaving
only 3 subadults at Aransas.

Remarks:  Flight conditions were fair with mostly cloudy skies become
partly sunny by noon.  The number of whooping cranes found totaled 8.  This
included the Pipeline family group, the Behind Middle Pond single adult
with chick, one subadult south of the Pipeline, and a subadult duo on
Blackjack Point.  The presence of the two family groups was unexpected
since migration conditions had been excellent April 15-20 with sunny skies
and very strong southeast winds.

April 21st is the latest I have ever observed adult whooping cranes still
at Aransas.  All eight cranes were found on today's flight before 9 AM.
After flying over the rest of the crane range, the refuge was re-checked at
noon and only 3 subadult cranes were found.  The two family groups (5
cranes total) had started migration between 9 and 12 noon on April 21st.

The migration leaving Aransas is just about over with only 3 whooping
cranes still present.  Ninety-eight percent of the flock has departed.
Whooping cranes have been reported recently all the way from Texas to North
Dakota.  All the eastern whooping cranes have started the migration, with
many already back in Wisconsin.

Habitat:  On today's flight, no cranes were observed at fresh water
sources, uplands, burns, or in open bay habitat. Many mudflats were exposed
on San Jose and Matagorda islands as moderately low tides combined with
strong southeast winds blew the water over towards the west side of the bay.

  Tom Stehn
  Whooping Crane Coordinator
  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  Aransas NWR
  P.O. Box 100
  Austwell, TX 77950
  (361) 286-3559 Ext. 221
  fax (361) 286-3722
  E:mail: <mailto:tom_stehn@fws.gov>tom_stehn@fws.gov

March 2004

03-29-04 correction to 03-23-04 report:

I reported erroneously the Lobstick twin family  as having started the
migration.  The family of 4 was seen back on their territory on March 26th.
Thus, very few cranes had departed by my March 24th flight, with only 1
territorial pair unaccounted for that day.

Migration conditions were excellent on the Texas coast March 26-28.  Two
whooping cranes were confirmed at Salt Plains NWR in Oklahoma on March 28th.

It is still early.  In a typical year, most adult pairs don't leave until
the second week in April, give or take a few days.  However, last spring,
the migration was on the early side with nearly 1/3rd of the flock having
left Aransas by April 2nd.
 

An aerial census on March 31, 2004 of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes at Aransas to be a minimum of 145 adults + 22 young = 167.

Recap of cranes observed: (167)
                        adults + young
Refuge                       34 +  7
Lamar                         4 +  1
San Jose                     38 +  6
Matagorda              52 +  6
Welder Flats                 17 +  2
         Total             145 + 22 = 167

Remarks:  Flight conditions were excellent with sunny skies and light winds.

The number of cranes estimated present at Aransas is a minimum of 167.  A maximum of 26 cranes (13.5 % of the flock) are believed to have started the migration, including the following territorial cranes; Lobstick pair with their twin chicks, Mustang Slough, N. Sundown Bay, Middle Pond, North Dunham Point, Jay Bird Point, South Matagorda, Shell Reef Old, and South Cottonwood.  In total, an estimated 9 out of the 69 wintering adult pairs (13%) have initiated the migration.  The Lobstick family is the only family to have migrated.  Although not located on last week's census flight, the Lobstick pair with their twins was reported back on their territory two days later on March 26th.  The Grass Island pair, not found last week, was present this week and thus had also been erroneously reported as having migrated.  Since a few cranes are generally overlooked on any given census flight, it is likely that about 20 cranes (10% of the flock) have started the migration.  Most of the 20 plus cranes are believed to have departed March 26-28 when strong southeast winds blasted across the Texas coast.
Recently, there has been only one confirmed sighting of one pair of whooping cranes at Salt Plains NWR in northern Oklahoma on March 28th.

A pair on the refuge's Mustang Slough was seen in spiral flight at 10:30 AM.  The cranes got as high as 700 feet but did not seem to be making any progress to the north, so we broke off following them and resumed the census.  An hour later, we observed the St. Charles Bay family group take flight from the mouth of Copano Creek and spiral up to 1,500 feet after which we lost sight of them and quickly decided to resume the census. Again, they did not seem to be making much progress to the north.  In both cases, winds were west northwest (between 290 and 310 degrees) and unfavorable for migration.  With the cranes needing to migrate at a heading of approximately 330 degrees, the light winds of less than 10 mph were a head wind.  In the afternoon, the winds switched from the south at 10 mph. Had the cranes somehow sensed the wind shift and started migration, or were they simply restless and doing some pre-migration soaring?  I believe the latter is more likely.

Habitat:  A cold front that brought northeast winds March 29-30 to the coast lowered tides by 0.6 feet, measured at 2.3 mlt on March 30th.  On today's flight, 12 cranes were seen at freshwater, a result of seeking out drinking water with the marsh salinities measured yesterday at 22-24 ppt. Two cranes were on a prescribed burn on San Jose.  Three cranes were standing on an upland shell road.  Two cranes were in open bay habitat.

November 2003

An aerial census on November 26, 2003 of the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge and surrounding areas estimated the number of whooping cranes
present at 160 adults + 23 young = 183 total.

Recap of cranes observed: (181)

                    adults + young  Change from 11/19
Refuge                 47 +  8                minus   6
Lamar                   4 +  1                 minus   1
San Jose               41 +  6               plus   9
Matagorda              48 +  6             plus   2
Welder Flats           18 +  2             plus   5
          Total        158 + 23 = 181     plus   9

Remarks: Light southeast winds provided smooth flying, but visibility was
limited by dark clouds and occasional drizzle, and humid conditions put a
haze on the windshield.  Sunshine was present for about half the flight.
All of the crane area was covered in 7.8 hours of flight time.

New arrivals from last week (11 cranes) included three family groups and
one banded pair.  Thus, the estimated population is 11 added to last week's
total of 172 for a total of 183.  This is one less than the total present
in spring, 2003.  It is probable that 6-8 cranes were overlooked on today's
flight due to poor visibility.  These cranes, along with an unknown number
of cranes still in migration, should allow the population to exceed the
all-time high of 188 reached in the 1999-2000 winter.

One family group on Dewberry Island had either moved to North Shoalwater
Bay, or was overlooked.  Thus, either 23 or 24 juveniles are present.

Status of migration:

It is estimated that 11 cranes have arrived since the last flight on
November 19th.  A very strong cold front that reached the Texas coast
mid-afternoon on November 23rd brought excellent migration conditions
November 23-24.   The family group last seen in SE Oklahoma on the 18th is
believed to be one of the newly arrived families at Aransas.   At least 1
banded territorial pair has not yet arrived at Aransas.

Habitat: Tides were noticeably lower than on previous flights, with about
50% of San Jose Island showing dry mudflats.  With bay and marsh salinities
generally between 17-18 ppt, 10 cranes were sighted on today's flight at
freshwater sources.

The cranes continued to feed heavily on wolfberry.  Three prescribed burns
were done on November 21 on Matagorda Island totaling 1,110 acres.  Two
whooping cranes were on Burn Unit B2 on today's flight.  Numerous sandhills
were on all the burns.

Newly arrived families included the following;
                         CNA   NEST    BANDS
Long Reef               S22   56/03   G-nil
N. Shoalwater?            unknown
N. Power Lake?            unknown

Note:  The Ayres Island pair (K10, 54/03) was erroneously reported last
week as having a chick.  They apparently do not.

- Tom Stehn
Email: tom_stehn@fws.gov

------------- end report ----------------

Patty Waits Beasley
Corpus Christi, TX
email: patty@ccbirding.com
web:  http://www.ccbirding.com/

In the Eastern US:

Follow the Ultra-light  led migration of sixteen juvenile Whooping Cranes being re-introduced in the eastern U.S. at Operation Migration's website:   http://www.operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html