The remaining three Class of 2008 ultralight-led whooping cranes, numbers 3-08, 24-08 and 27-08 began their spring migration from the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge pensite yesterday.  Five cranes (from previous years) still remain in Florida. 

There are currently 54 whooping cranes confirmed back in Wisconsin.  Of those 54 birds, 48 are on or near the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. 

On Thursday, April 2, ICF Tracking Field Manager, Eva Szyszkoski confirmed the first nest of the season on the Necedah NWR!  On her first day back at the refuge,  Eva confirmed that whooping crane pair #5-05 and #15-04 were back on their territory and observed #15-04 incubating on their nest.  Eva also observed pair #9-03 and #3-04 doing some nest building.  Stay tuned for more nesting news…

Update by Joan Garland, ICF Education Outreach Coordinator. Report provided by Sara Zimorski, ICF Aviculturist.