Four of the Class of 2008 DAR (Direct Autumn Release) cranes arrived Sunday at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, successfully completing their first spring migration!  These four birds are the first cranes from the Class of 2008 released whooping cranes to complete their spring migration.  The four DAR cranes, together with older whooping crane #16-02 wintered in Lawrence County, Tennessee.  Satellite data from one of the DAR cranes showed that the bird arrived at Necedah NWR on Sunday.  Yesterday it was confirmed that the group of four DAR birds and #16-02 were on the refuge. 

In other exciting migration news, four of the Class of 2008 ultralight-led whooping cranes began their migration north today from the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.  ICF Tracking Field Manager, Eva Szyszkoski is currently tracking the four cranes.  This past weekend, Eva emailed me this update:

“Before the chicks start their first migration back north to Wisconsin, they start showing signs of restlessness.  For the chicks here at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, this began in the middle of last week.  Richard Urbanek, USFWS, and I were headed to the pensite, and before we were even past the 'area closed' signs, we could see the chicks off in the distance, doing loops around the island.  They continued flying for a while before landing in the pen.  Now, almost every night, they get up in the air and fly for a short time before settling down to roost.  From past experience, we expect them to leave sometime next week, but we'll have to wait and see what they decide.”  Eva’s prediction was right-on. I wonder if she plays the lottery?

Whooping cranes at Chassahowitzka NWR. Photo provided by Eva Szyszkoski.