Since the last nesting update, unfortunately, all of the pairs with the exception of one have abandoned their nests.  Whooping crane pair #9-03 and #3-04 continue to incubate on their nest at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.  Hopefully this pair’s nest will be successful and other pairs will renest yet this spring. 

This nest abandonment pattern is similar to what has been observed in the past two years.  The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership is investigating the cause of the abandonments through analysis of data collected throughout the nesting period on crane behavior, temperature, black fly abundance and distribution, and food availability. 

Update by Joan Garland, ICF Education Outreach Coordinator/WCEP Communications & Outreach Team Co-chair. Nest photo by Richard Urbanek, USFWS.