Three cheers for whooping cranes! Three more cheers for the efforts of Operation Migration, a non-profit organization of the United States and Canada, to reintroduce the species to one of their native migration routes. And of course, all their volunteers and supporters.
Here's a great close-up shot from the front page of their website:
More pics and information about this fascinating project below the fold.
"For the Whooping crane there is no freedom but that of unbounded wilderness, no life except its own. Without meekness, without a sign of humility, it has refused to accept our idea of what the world should be like. If we succeed in preserving the wild remnant that still survives, it will be no credit to us; the glory will rest on this bird whose stubborn vigor has kept it alive in the face of increasing and seemingly hopeless odds."
--Robert Porter Allen
I first discovered Operation Migration and their work with whooping cranes two or three years ago. And ever since then, I spend a couple times a year getting enthralled reading their field journal. Especially this time of year, as the 'new recruits' make their first ever migration led by staff in crane suits flying on trikes. Ever seen the movie Fly Away Home? That's where the magic all began; the movie is loosely based on the true story of Operation Migration's co-founders William Lishman and Joseph Duff.
21 years after Lishman's first flight with Canada Geese, these whoopers are the ninth generation of whooping cranes to benefit from the years of hardwork and dedication. Below: class of 2009 penned at one of this year's first stopver locations.
Back in February of this year, Kossask matching mole did a lot of heavy lifting in regards to information about the species and the project, so I won't repeat all of it here. Instead I'll direct you to the fantastic diary incorporating personal experience of a Florida flyover titled Dawn Chorus Birdblog: A (Happier) Tale Of Birds and Planes.
And here's all 20 of this year's migration Class of 2009 at this morning's flyover at Ferry Bluff in Green County, Wisconsin (taken by on-site "craniac" Karla Ritter) just a few days into these birds' first journey from the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin to their Florida wintering site Chassahowitzka (say that three times fast) National Wildlife Refuge, albeit a bit behind their forecasted and hoped for schedule.
There is loads of additional information on the Operation Migration webiste, including a "snapshot" of the current whooping crane populations, both wild and captive. Or in the case of Operation Migration bird 710, now known as Kernel -- wild release turned captive -- seen here with friend Whoopie at his new home in Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.
One final tidbit of information for you. This year Operation Migration will reach and surpass an aviation milestone -- over 10,000 miles flown with whoopers.
Thanks for reading! Operation Migation: I Give a Whoop!
Update Thanks to Pellice for reminding me about this year's crane cam and trike cam. From the latter, when not in live operation, you can still watch archived footage. Both are linked through the website, the crane cam most prominently in the right-hand margin of the field journal.